Operation Sail was the 1976 tall-ships event held to celebrate the United States Bicentennial.
Operation Sail 1976 brought sailing vessels from many countries to New York Harbor during the bicentennial celebrations. The event included a parade of sailboats and naval vessels, creating a major international maritime spectacle around the anniversary.
The event was part of a recurring series first held in 1964 and later repeated for other major occasions. Its 1976 edition was especially prominent because it connected the United States’ revolutionary history with the older global traditions of exploration, navigation, and naval power.
Operation Sail is sometimes confused with the general phrase “tall ships,” which describes the vessels rather than the event’s official name. The best-known 1976 gathering also featured the spectacular arrival of sailing ships in New York Harbor, where large crowds watched from the waterfront.