Tall Ships and Naval Vessels from 55 Nations Sail New York Harbor for U.S. 250th Anniversary

Tall ships and naval vessels from 55 nations sailed through New York Harbor on July 4, 2026, to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Eagle, the USS Kearsarge and the guided-missile destroyer Farragut took part in the procession.

Sailors stood on the masts of tall ships as the vessels moved past the Statue of Liberty. Aerial displays included flyovers by the French Air Force Patrouille de France, the British RAF Red Arrows and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

A helicopter carried a large U.S. flag over the harbor while military personnel stood on the flight deck of the USS Kearsarge. Reuters reported that crowds lined the waterfronts to watch the ships pass.

Vice President JD Vance attended the event aboard the USS Kearsarge with his daughter Mirabel on his lap, CBS News reported. He stated that in order for the free world to beat communism and fascism, it had to outproduce them. Tall ships moved under flyovers along the Hudson River.