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ornotna

(11,636 posts)

7. I remember Operation Sail

Reply to imanamerican63 (Original post)

Fri Jul 3, 2026, 12:50 AM

Jul 3

On July 4, 1976, New York City celebrated the Bicentennial of American independence with a parade of ships that began at the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and moved up the Hudson River. Officially titled “Operation Sail,” more than 200 ships gathered for the event. With more than six million spectators, it became the largest crowd in New York City’s history.

https://www.gothamcenter.org/blog/operationsail-zy4la-6h6h4-tlwga-allfs-5gpbn-p8hkk-gewm2-86weg-453lp-rtg9j-b4nt8-f2n45-2s22f-kmea4-5jtmm-a2l5n-ljflg-bbjh6-82t6p-w9slx-nhf8r-egskg-7mja9-rk27k-bwgya-x8sb6-9ejss-b9tem

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Highlight:

There aren't too many us who can remember our 200th anniversary in 1976. [View all] imanamerican63 Jul 3 OP

I was enlisted Skittles Jul 3 #1

I remember the Freedom Train coming through town Blue Owl Jul 3 #2

I remember putting a bicentennial quarter Shambala Jul 3 #35

I remember the fireworks down on the mall in DC oberle Jul 3 #3

I remember it clear as day SonOfNebanaube Jul 3 #4

I was at our local drive-in seeing "American Graffiti" LSparkle Jul 3 #5

I was in eighth grade in Silver City NM it will always ALBliberal Jul 3 #6

I remember Operation Sail ornotna Jul 3 #7

The Tall Ships are coming back this weekend to NYC waters. 3 July-8 July 2026 irisblue Jul 3 #10

this was amazing! NoSheep Jul 3 #12

Gonna post again...posted above... this is a blow ALBliberal Jul 3 #8

Williamsburg VA madamesilverspurs Jul 3 #9

I was in DC and learned to whistle loudly through my fingers NoSheep Jul 3 #11

I sure can and it was so different, everyone was proud and happy. Rhiannon12866 Jul 3 #13

I was sick in bed with a nasty virus. greatauntoftriplets Jul 3 #14

I remember it, everything was Red, White and Blue all over the place! BigmanPigman Jul 3 #15

I was 21, living in my home state (The Future State of Stupid) and it was one hell of a party. state of stupid Jul 3 #16

I remember it...I was 12 years old. I am so PISSED TF off that cantaloupe caligula is f*cking this up. The_REAL_Ecumenist Jul 3 #17

Several friends and myself are boomers BeneteauBum Jul 3 #18

America 250 with Trump makes me feel a little like this... AdamGG Jul 3 #20

I remember Queen Elizabeth visiting AdamGG Jul 3 #19

There was also a multi-year runup to all of the culminating celebrations. SeattleVet Jul 3 #21

July 4th 1976 - My wife, and I were still newlyweds, only 5 month's into Emile Jul 3 #22

I graduated from high school in 1976 COL Mustard Jul 3 #23

@ 14 yo, I went to Wrigley Field for a Cubs doubleheader against the Mets, then to downtown for the fireworks. aggiesal Jul 3 #24

I was in eastern Massachusetts, not quite 1 year at my job. DFW Jul 3 #25

I have very faint memories. RandySF Jul 3 #26

I remember the Bicentennial Minute choie Jul 3 #27

Summer of 76 Boston was amazing. bottomofthehill Jul 3 #28

Um, What? 1976 isn't 1936. ColoringFool Jul 3 #29

My parents had a cottage close to Luddington on Lake Michigan. tavernier Jul 3 #30

I remember my first Bicentennial quarter Bristlecone Jul 3 #31

I definitely remember (sigh) 😔 nt Raine Jul 3 #32

Good times! Lategame Jul 3 #33

My parents were on the verge of divorcing some months later, but I didn't know it at the time. Xavier Breath Jul 3 #34

I graduated high school that year, the celebration was pretty great a month later. :D mucholderthandirt Jul 3 #36