The 1976 U.S. Bicentennial sailing celebration used the name Operation Sail.
Operation Sail 1976 brought an international fleet of tall ships to New York Harbor as part of the United States Bicentennial observances. The ships joined a grand parade that offered a highly visible maritime centerpiece for the 200th anniversary year.
Sixteen tall ships took part in the principal parade, representing countries including Italy, Norway, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and the United States. Many additional supporting vessels formed part of the wider fleet. The event became one of the most memorable public spectacles of the Bicentennial.
Operation Sail was not limited to a single anniversary in American history. Related editions have been held at later milestones, including the 1986 centennial of the Statue of Liberty and other major maritime commemorations. The 1976 event remains especially relevant to America250 because it shows how the earlier Bicentennial used international participation to celebrate U.S. history.