TALL SHIPS TO HONOR AMERICA 250
America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. It will be a very big deal and preparations have begun.
The nation’s 200th birthday was celebrated in 1976 and Operation Sail organized a spectacular Independence Day celebration in New York Harbor.
Now 50 years later, the Tall Ships will be returning to New York to honor America at 250.
This time, in addition to the world’s most beautiful tall ships, the historic vessels that forged the United States of America will join them.
Additionally, there will be an International Naval Review of grey hulled warriors representing the US Navy and its allies.
The replica of the original tall ship – the one whose passengers wrote the Mayflower Compact – was the only Tall Ship entering New York Harbor in 1957. Her grand entrance was so spectacular that many consider it to be the prequel to all future Operation Sails.
President John F. Kennedy loved the little wooden ship and even took time out from campaigning to walk aboard, stand at her wheel and honor her second voyage to America.
Mark your calendar for spectacular Tall Ships celebrations in 2026 !