An international fleet of tall ships arrived on the shores of New Jersey Friday to mark a once-in-a-generation celebration of America’s Semiquincentennial.Organizers and officials gathered in Sandy Hook to outline the scope of the historic "Sail 4th 250" tribute."Nearly 250 years ago, it was here at Sandy Hook that George Washington's army drove the British from New Jersey," said Gov.Mikie Sherrill, a former naval officer.
"It was from this day that the last British ships of the Revolutionary War departed."The tall ship Bowdoin sails along the East River during a preliminary parade on July 3, 2026, in New York City.(Jeremy Weine/Getty Images)NEW ORLEANS HOSTS FIRST STOP OF SAIL 250 AS FLEET BEGINS EAST COAST JOURNEYThe site is also home to the country's oldest continuously lit lighthouse, which has guided maritime navigators since 1764.The area is now preserved as part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, a 27,000-acre national park spanning New York and New Jersey that welcomes more than 9 million visitors annually.The tall ship Lynx sails under the Manhattan Bridge along the East River during a preliminary parade on July 3, 2026, in New York City.
(Jeremy Weine/Getty Images)YOSEMITE, GRAND CANYON LEAD NOTABLE LIST OF NATIONAL PARK CAMPGROUNDS FOR AMERICA'S 250THRoughly 20 nations have dispatched their premier tall ships to participate in the celebration, with vessels arriving from as far away as Italy, India, Peru, Poland, Spain and Sweden.The legendary U.S.Coast Guard cutter Eagle, which was acquired as a war reparation from Nazi Germany, will lead the official parade of ships. It is the only active square-rigged sailing vessel in federal service, and has been sailed by every Coast Guard Academy cadet.New Yorkers watch as the Liberty Clipper sails along the East River during a preliminary parade on July 3, 2026, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
(Jeremy Weine/Getty Images)EUROPE'S $116B FIGHTER JET 'FAILURE' RAISES FRESH DOUBTS ABOUT ABILITY TO ...