Operation Sail was the 1976 fleet parade of tall ships held for the United States Bicentennial.
The event, commonly shortened to Op Sail, brought an international collection of tall-masted sailing ships and naval vessels to American waters. The fleet gathered first in New York City on Independence Day and then appeared in Boston about a week later.
President Gerald Ford reviewed the international fleet from the guided-missile cruiser USS Wainwright as ships sailed in New York Harbor. The review included salutes from visiting vessels and ended near Liberty Island.
Operation Sail was part of a broader maritime tradition connected with major American anniversaries. Similar tall-ship gatherings had already been organized for earlier commemorations, and later editions continued to bring historic and training ships together in New York Harbor.