On This Day: Thursday August 4, 2005 This is the 216th day of the year, with 149 days remaining in 2005. Fact of the Day: Coast Guard The Revenue Marine Service, established in 1790 by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, later became the Revenue Cutter Service and then, in 1915, merged with the U.S. Lifesaving Service (formed in 1878) to become the U.S. Coast Guard. It is the part of the military service charged with the enforcement of maritime laws. Holidays Feast day of St. Molua or Lughaidh, St. Ia, St. Sezni, and St. John Baptist Vianney. Burkina Faso: Revolution Day. Events 1753 - George Washington became a Master Mason, the highest rank in the Fraternity of Freemasonry. 1790 - The Revenue Cutter service, the forerunner of the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, was organized. 1892 - Andrew Borden and Abby Borden were axed to death in their home in Fall River, Massachusetts. Lizzie Borden, Andrew Borden's daughter from a previous marriage, was accused of the killings, but acquitted at trial. 1914 - Britain declared war on Germany while the United States proclaimed its neutrality. 1916 - The United States purchased the Danish Virgin Islands for $25 million. 1966 - In a U.S. radio interview, John Lennon claimed that the Beatles were probably more popular than Jesus Christ. 1977 - President Jimmy Carter signed a measure establishing the Department of Energy. 1997 - The Teamsters Union went on a 15-day strike against United Parcel Service after talks broke down with nation's largest package delivery service. Births 1792 - Percy Bysshe Shelley, English poet. 1900 - Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother of Britain's royal family. 1901 - Louis (Satchmo) Armstrong, American jazz musician, Grammy Award-winning singer. Deaths 1875 - Hans Christian Andersen, Danish fairy tale writer.