This Day in Coast Guard History – July 26

1886- An Act of Congress (24 Stat. L., 148) authorized an increase in the number of lighthouse districts to 16 within the Lighthouse Establishment.

1846- Revenue Cutter Woodbury put down a mutiny on board the troop ship Middlesex during the Mexican War.

1948- President Harry Truman ordered the integration of the armed forces of the United States with Executive Order 9981, signed 26 July 1948.  By this time the Coast Guard had already opened up all of its rates to all qualified persons regardless of race.  The Coast Guard noted "the importance of selecting men for what they are, for what they are capable of doing, and insisting on good conduct, good behavior, and good qualities of leadership for all hands. . .As a matter of policy Negro recruits receive the same consideration as all others."

(Source: USCG Historian’s Office)