1885:	Keeper Marcus Hanna of the Cape Elizabeth Light Station saved two men from the wrecked schooner Australia. For this rescue Hanna was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal. He was also awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Port Hudson in 1863. He is the only person to have ever received both awards.
1915:	Congress creates the United States Coast Guard by consolidating Life-Saving Service and Revenue Cutter Service. [Act to Create the Coast Guard, passed by the House on 20 January, 1915 and signed by President Woodrow Wilson on 28 January 1915]
1980:	The CGC Blackthorn sinks in Tampa Bay after colliding with the tanker Capricorn.  23 Coast Guard personnel are killed in the tragedy.
1986:	NASA's space shuttle Challenger exploded after lift-off, killing the crew.  Coast Guard units conducted the initial search and rescue operation and later assisted in the recovery of much of the shuttle's wreckage.