The modern United States Coast Guard is established as the federal government merges the Revenue Cutter Service and the United States Life-Saving Service. Originally founded by the Department of the Treasury in 1790, the Coast Guard is the longest consecutively-serving American naval force.
Challenger explosion
The space shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral, Florida. All seven on board are killed, including New Hampshire teacher Christa McAuliffe. President Ronald Reagan later would create the Rogers Commission to investigate the disaster.
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