• President Reagan Speaks at Statue of Liberty Centennial Celebration
    Pete Souza
    Presidential Visit
    New York
    First Lady Visit
    4th of July
    Statue of Liberty
    In this photograph, taken on July 4, 1986, President Ronald Reagan speaks at a podium on Governors Island, New York, as international ships parade in New York Harbor. The Statue of Liberty stands tall in the background. July 4, 1986 marked not only the 210th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress, but also the centennial year of the dedication of the Statue of Liberty, as overseen by President Grover Cleveland on October 28, 1886. To celebrate the centennial of the Statue of Liberty and its corresponding restoration, ships from around the world participated in "Operation Sail," a goodwill demonstration of predominately tall mast ships sailing together. This was the third "Operation Sail" that had been held and, like the others, took place during a major American celebration. The first "Operation Sail" was held in the summer of 1964 at the New York World's Fair, having been endorsed in May 1963 by president and sailing enthusiast President John F. Kennedy. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef of the White House from 1966-1987.