Operation Sail was the 1976 tall-ship parade in New York Harbor celebrating the U.S. Bicentennial.
The 1976 edition brought 16 large sailing ships to New York for a Grand Parade of Sailing Ships. The vessels represented countries from around the world and gathered as part of the international maritime celebrations connected with the 200th anniversary of American independence.
The event included a much larger supporting fleet. The official program listed 113 additional vessels, making the harbor display more than a simple procession of historic ships. Each participating tall ship carried the Bicentennial’s distinctive tricolor star insignia.
Operation Sail is often shortened to “Op Sail.” It was not the same thing as an ordinary naval review, because the central attraction was the international gathering of tall sailing ships. The event also connected New York’s harbor traditions with the broader America250-era interest in commemorating national history.