US Navy ship Arlington arrives in New York Harbor for the International Fleet Review [Reuters=Yonhap News]

On July 4 (local time), the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, an international fleet review featuring naval vessels from major U.S. allies and a grand tall ship parade will take place in the waters off New York City.

Naval vessels and tall ships from various nations participating in the international fleet review and parade have been gathering in the waters around New York and New Jersey since July 3.

The U.S. Navy announced that at least 53 U.S. and foreign warships are scheduled to participate in the international fleet review held in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

The USS Nimitz, the U.S. Navy's longest-serving active aircraft carrier, which was commissioned in 1975 and is set to retire next year, will also take part in this review. The Republic of Korea Navy has dispatched the destroyer ROKS Munmu the Great (DDH-II, 4,400-ton class) for the event.

The U.S. Navy stated that Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to board the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge on July 4 to inspect the fleet with foreign naval delegations and deliver a speech commemorating the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding.

Large tall ship arrives near Sandy Hook, New Jersey [Reuters=Yonhap News]

This marks the seventh time in U.S. history that the nation has hosted an international fleet review.

The three most recent events were held in 1976 for the Bicentennial, 1986 for the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, and 2000 for the Millennium celebration.

This international fleet review is expected to draw even more attention as it is being held in conjunction with an international tall ship parade.

The New York Times (NYT) reported that over 40 tall ships representing more than 20 countries are participating in the parade.

On the day before the main Independence Day festivities, a smaller-scale parade featuring B-class tall ships was held along the East River in New York as a preliminary event.

People watch the B-class tall ship parade along the East River in New York on July 3 (local time), one day before the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. [Yonhap News] 

The larger tall ships are scheduled to parade on July 4, passing by the Statue of Liberty and sailing up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge, which connects New York and New Jersey.

The parade will be led by the USCGC Eagle, a tall ship currently in active service with the U.S. military. The Elissa, the oldest tall ship among those participating in the parade, has also docked in the New York Harbor area.

This is the fourth time that an international tall ship parade and a global fleet review have been held together in New York, following the events in 1976 (Bicentennial), 1986 (100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty), and 2000 (Millennium celebration).

B-class tall ships parade along the East River in New York on July 3 (local time), one day before the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. [Yonhap News]