2006-11-27 15:14:08 · 2 answers · asked by Edward K 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
See below. There are many myths, but I think this answers your question.
2006-11-27 15:23:48 · answer #1 · answered by It's been a while........... 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In 1818 the United States Navy was the first branch of the military to instate regulations for gun salutes. "When the President shall visit a ship of the United States' Navy, he is to be saluted with 21 guns." 21 was the number of states in the Union at the time of.
Furthermore odd numbers have been considered much luckier than even numbers for example the number seven, seven gun salutes were widely used at one time. Salutes with an even number of guns came to signify that the captain or ship master had died during the voyage.
The first official salute by a foreign nation to us took place on 14 February 1778, when the Continental Navy ship the Ranger, who’s Captain was John Paul Jones, fired 13 guns and received 9 in return from the French fleet anchored in Quiberon Bay, France. Today, the national salute of 21 guns is fired in honor of a national flag, the sovereign or chief of state of a foreign nation, a member of a reigning royal family, and the President, ex-President, and President-elect of the United States. It is also fired at noon of the day of the funeral of a President, ex-President, or President-elect, on Washington's Birthday, Presidents Day, and the Fourth of July. On Memorial Day, a salute of 21 minute guns is fired at noon while the flag is flown at half mast.
2006-11-27 23:59:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋