Tall Ships Mark Independence Day of the U.S.

The United States has been marking its first Independence Day of the new millenium with a huge maritime parade in New York harbour.

Operation Sail 2000 - the biggest gathering of ships ever seen in peace time - is the highlight of 4 July celebrations and involves 150 tall ships from 50 countries, 40 modern warships and up to 70,000 pleasure craft.

Four million spectators have been watching the event, which ends after dark with a display of some 60,000 fireworks containing 150 tonnes of explosives.

Against the spectacular backdrop of the Statue of Liberty, the parade of tall ships sailed into sight following a fireboat spewing out huge streams of red, white and blue water.

The line of seafaring craft of all shapes and sizes stretched 17 kilometres (11 miles) in length.

People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/