Sixteen tall ships sailed to New York for Operation Sail during the United States Bicentennial in 1976.
Operation Sail was part of the celebration marking the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The participating ships gathered for a grand parade of sailing vessels in New York Harbor, creating one of the most memorable maritime spectacles of the Bicentennial.
The 16 tall ships were described as square-rigged school ships in the official program. They were joined by 113 supporting vessels in the Op Sail fleet, so the total number of ships involved was much larger than the number of tall ships.
The event illustrates how earlier national anniversaries combined historical themes with public spectacle. America250 similarly draws on ceremonies, exhibitions, travel, and community events to connect the 2026 milestone with earlier commemorations.