Operation Sail was the 1976 maritime celebration that brought tall ships to American ports for the Bicentennial.
Operation Sail, often shortened to Op Sail, organized international sailing events to mark major anniversaries and promote goodwill among participating nations. The 1976 edition was one of the most prominent Bicentennial observances, bringing historic sailing vessels and modern naval ships together.
The best-known events took place in New York Harbor, where tall ships gathered and sailed past the Statue of Liberty. The spectacle connected the nation’s maritime history with the international character of the Bicentennial celebration.
Operation Sail was not limited to one parade or one harbor. Vessels made port calls in several American cities, and related sailing events took place along the coast. The 2026 semiquincentennial planning also revived interest in large-scale tall-ship gatherings, linking the America250 anniversary with the earlier Bicentennial tradition.