why is there21 shots fired in a 21 gun salute 7 rifles 3shots each??? when and why did it start..?

Answer 1

"What is the origin of the 21-gun salute?
The use of gun salutes for military occasions is traced to early warriors who demonstrated their peaceful intentions by placing their weapons in a position that rendered them ineffective. Apparently this custom was universal, with the specific act varying with time and place, depending on the weapons being used. A North African tribe, for example, trailed the points of their spears on the ground to indicate that they did not mean to be hostile.

The tradition of rendering a salute by cannon originated in the 14th century as firearms and cannons came into use. Since these early devices contained only one projectile, discharging them once rendered them ineffective. Originally warships fired seven-gun salutes--the number seven probably selected because of its astrological and Biblical significance. Seven planets had been identified and the phases of the moon changed every seven days. The Bible states that God rested on the seventh day after Creation, that every seventh year was sabbatical and that the seven times seventh year ushered in the Jubilee year.

Land batteries, having a greater supply of gunpowder, were able to fire three guns for every shot fired afloat, hence the salute by shore batteries was 21 guns. The multiple of three probably was chosen because of the mystical significance of the number three in many ancient civilizations. Early gunpowder, composed mainly of sodium nitrate, spoiled easily at sea, but could be kept cooler and drier in land magazines. When potassium nitrate improved the quality of gunpowder, ships at sea adopted the salute of 21 guns.

The 21-gun salute became the highest honor a nation rendered. Varying customs among the maritime powers led to confusion in saluting and return of salutes. Great Britain, the world's preeminent seapower in the 18th and 19th centuries, compelled weaker nations to salute first, and for a time monarchies received more guns than did republics. Eventually, by agreement, the international salute was established at 21 guns, although the United States did not agree on this procedure until August 1875.

The gun salute system of the United States has changed considerably over the years. In 1810, the "national salute" was defined by the War Department as equal to the number of states in the Union--at that time 17. This salute was fired by all U.S. military installations at 1:00 p.m. (later at noon) on Independence Day. The President also received a salute equal to the number of states whenever he visited a military installation.

In 1842, the Presidential salute was formally established at 21 guns. In 1890, regulations designated the "national salute" as 21 guns and redesignated the traditional Independence Day salute, the "Salute to the Union," equal to the number of states. Fifty guns are also fired on all military installations equipped to do so at the close of the day of the funeral of a President, ex-President, or President-elect.

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.

Gun salutes are also rendered to other military and civilian leaders of this and other nations. The number of guns is based on their protocol rank. These salutes are always in odd numbers.

Source: Headquarters, Military District of Washington, FACT SHEET: GUN SALUTES, May 1969."

Answer 2

A 21 Gun Salute is cannon fire, fired from Cannons, and only done for the President and foreign heads of state (and burials of Unknown Soldiers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington). What you have at a funeral is "Three rifle volleys." That's a 7 man firing party firing three times, but it has NOTHING to do with a 21 gun salute. Just because 7 times 3 is 21 this does not "create" a 21 gun salute. They are seperate honors

Answer 3

The 21-gun salute began as a naval practicality. When a ship pulled into a foreign port, as a sign of good faith, they would fire all of their cannons out to see and leave the guns away from the firing ports. At the time (in the 15th and 16th centuries) a warship carried 21 cannons.

This left you wide open to an attack from the port, and displayed peaceful intentions. Once your cannon were empty, you would be allowed safe quarter in their harbor. Over the years, this became a display of respect for one's service, and is most commonly seen at funerals for the Military, Police and Fire departmens, as well as individuals that served the military in a civilian capacity, such as the President, Secretary of Defense or a branch Secretary, although it has been used to honor members of congress, as well as foreign heads of state.

Over time, the number of guns in the slaute changed, but the they still fire 21 shots, and because of this, will forever be called the 21-gun salute.

Answer 4

Dang good question!!! I have been in the military a long time and never thought to explore the reasoning for the 21 gun salute.!! Thanks I learned something today!!!

Answer 5

Below is information from www.wikipedia.com pertaining to use of a 21 gun salute in the USA. For history of the salutes origin, refer to link below (of which the following is taken):

Beginning in the colonial period, the United States fired one shot for each state in the Union as its national salute. This practice was partly a result of usage, because John Paul Jones saluted France with 13 guns at Quiberon Bay in 1778 when the Stars and Stripes received its first salute. The practice was not officially authorized until 1810, when the United States Department of War declared the "national salute" to be equal to the number of states, which was 17 at the time. This was continued until 1841 when the "national salute" was reduced from 26 to 21.

In 1842, the United States declared the 21-gun salute as its "Presidential Salute." In 1890, the "national salute" was formally reestablished as the 21-gun salute, and the traditional Independence Day salute of one gun for each of the states was declared as the "Salute to the Nation" or "Salute to the Union." The salute is staged only at noon on July 4, Independence Day at U.S. military installations, although it has been given on a few other occasions, such as the death of a president. The U.S. Navy full-dresses ships and fires 21 guns at noon on July 4, Independence Day and February 22, Presidents' Day. On Memorial Day, all ships and Naval stations fire a salute of 21-minute guns and display the ensign at half-mast from 8 a.m. until completion of the salute.

Today, a 21-gun salute is rendered on the arrival and departure of the President of the United States; it is fired in concordance with four ruffles and flourishes, which is immediately followed by Hail to the Chief -- the actual gun salute begins with the first ruffle and flourish, and concludes after Hail to the Chief has ended. A 21-gun salute is also rendered to former U.S. Presidents, as well as to Presidents-elect. In the U.S., 21-gun salutes are also fired upon the arrival and departure of a foreign heads of state, or heads of a reigning royal family. In such a ceremony, the national anthem of the visiting dignitary's country is played, following the salute.

Each round in a 21-gun salute is fired one at a time. The number of cannon used in a battery depends upon the intervals between each round fired. For example, a 3-gun battery has 2 of its guns firing, each at 5 second intervals between rounds, with 1 gun at the ready in case of a misfire; such a battery would be used at an arrival ceremony for the President at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. A 4-gun battery has its first 3 guns firing rounds at 3 second intervals, with the 4th gun (again) at the ready in case of misfire.

Constitution renders a 21-gun salute to Fort Independence during her Independence Day turnaround cruise.The U.S. Army SOP (Standing Operating Procedure) for Gun salutes provides a 2-man gun crew (one loader, one gunner) for each cannon, as well as a 5-man 'staff' of soldiers to give the fire commands. The staff includes an Officer in Charge, a watchman (who marks the intervals and signals each gun to fire), an assistant watchman (as a backup), a counter (who keeps track of the number of rounds fired and signals the last round to the Officer in Charge), and a Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (who marches the battery into place as well as signals the backup cannon to fire in case another gun misfires).

Naval vessels now have saluting guns installed which are used solely for such purpose. The traditional timing chant, "If I wasn't a sailor, I wouldn't be here. Fire #1," etc., has been replaced by stopwatch.

Deaths of presidents
A U.S. Presidential death also involves 21-gun salutes and other military traditions. On the day after the death of the president, a former president or president-elect — unless this day falls on a Sunday or holiday, in which case the honour will be rendered the following day — the commanders of Army installations with the necessary personnel and material traditionally order that one gun be fired every half hour, beginning at reveille and ending at retreat.

On the day of burial, a 21-minute gun salute traditionally is fired starting at noon at all military installations with the necessary personnel and material. Guns will be fired at one-minute intervals. Also on the day of burial, those installations will fire a 50-gun salute — one round for each state — at five-second intervals immediately following lowering of the flag.