Operation Sail was the name of the 1976 tall-ship parade in New York Harbor that inspired America250's maritime plans.
For the 1976 Bicentennial, sixteen large sailing ships from around the world gathered in New York for a grand parade. The event presented historic and training vessels from countries including Italy, Norway, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Chile, Colombia, and the United States.
The fleet sailed in New York Harbor on July 4, creating one of the most internationally visible spectacles of the Bicentennial. The Italian ship Amerigo Vespucci and many other square-rigged vessels became especially recognizable participants.
Operation Sail was not limited to the sixteen headline ships. The official program also listed more than one hundred supporting vessels. The event established a maritime tradition that later commemorations, including planned America250 activities, sought to revisit.