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America celebrated its 250th anniversary Saturday with an epic armada of tall ships in New York Harbor and a parade of military aircraft overhead, as millions lined every inch of shoreline to take in the stunning showcase of military might.
The 43 ships, with their majestic masts, rigging, and white sails unfurled, traveled around the Statue of Liberty and up the Hudson River and were followed by an awesome show of aerial dominance.
More military planes, including a B-52 bomber, flew over the Verrazano and also over Ecuador’s Bae Guayas, known as the most beautiful ship in the world.
Patrouille de France, the French Air Force’s acrobatic teams, flew over New York Harbor leaving a trail of red, white and blue smoke that lingered in the shy like a gigantic American flag.
“I think everybody needs to remember how we got here and what this day means,” said Judy Dur of Florida, who flew in with her husband Philip, a retired Navy rear admiral, to witness the Fourth of July spectacle.
“I think it’s a good reminder of what everybody’s sacrificed to get us to where we are today,” she added.
The host flagship was the USCGC Eagle, a 295-foot, three-masted barque operated by the US Coast Guard, while the US Navy Blue Angels led the international aerial review.
Dozens of smaller ships pushed the total number of vessels in the nautical parade to over 80.
And there were also warships from across the globe — including the 1,092 feet-long US Nimitz also anchored in the Hudson River.
An estimated 20,000 sailors, about 10 times the number that visit during an average New York City Fleet Week, participated in the event, according to Sail4th.
Americans flew from across the country to be part of the event that stretched from Staten Island’s Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge to the George Washington Bridge in Manhattan, undeterred by scorching temps that hit a high of 95.
A Texas couple told The Post they spent $700 per ticket for the chance to hop aboard a schooner for Sail4th 250.
Bob Nicks, 74, a retired history professor at Lamar University, and his wife Debbie, 73, a former school principal, came up from Beaumont to be part of Sunday’s extravaganza, happily paying $1,400 to be aboard America 2.0.
“It means a lot. It was really special. I had been following this for about four or five months and reading about it and checking out different cities where I wanted to spend July 4th because of the 250th birthday,” Debbie said.
“We thought that this would be really special to celebrate the 250th. We know we won’t be around for the 300th, so we thought we’d give it our best effort,” she added.
Bill Dexter, a Vietnam veteran in his 70s sporting a long beard and boater hat, was glad to see the military — and vets — take the spotlight.
“I’m grateful to be an American, to live in a country that has provided me with so much, so much opportunity, and to be here and be part of this is very special,” he said.
“I like the respect shown to veterans. When we came back from Vietnam, we got no respect. But then we are seeing respect, and rightfully so. It’s about time,” he added.
The day got off without any major hiccups, save for a boat that violated a ban on political messages.
The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater unfurled a message to “Save the Clean Water Act” on its mainsail — and was escorted from the historic flotilla by the US Coast Guard before it could even reach the New York Harbor.
Organizers initially estimated crowd totals as high as eight million, smashing the record crowd of 6 million for Operation Sail, the bicentennial regatta in 1976.
They remained confident that millions came out, despite “ unexpected challenges” including Friday’s storms and Saturday’s scorching temps.
“We think it was a tremendous success. It all came together beautifully,” Sail4th 250 spokesperson Peter Himler told The Post.
Seattle-based Navy reserve officer Ben Brown, taking in the boat parade and air show for the 250 celebration from Battery Park City’s Wagner Park, said he was shocked at how many people had stopped to take photos with him in his uniform.
“I was kind of surprised. I mean, you know, coming from Seattle, the flavor is a little different sometimes,” Brown, who was wearing his Navy whites, told The Post.
“It’s nice to see everybody is still kind of excited about the country.”
A Florida couple brought their daughter to witness the majesty of Sail4th 250 on the anniversary of the day they met decades ago in Battery Park City.
Lawrence, Karen, and Dena Kolin were aboard the America 2.0 class B ship in Hudson on Saturday — 40 years to the day after the couple met during Liberty Weekend in 1986.
“It’s a beautiful moment. … I just feel like we need this togetherness at this moment in the country’s history,” said Lawrence.
“And the tall ships are something that you really don’t see this many of ever. We probably won’t be here for 300, so let’s do it now! And of course, the Schooner Americas would be the place to be.”
Additional reporting by Marie Pohl, David DeTurris, Georgett Roberts
English (US)