Why is it a 21 gun salute? What is the history of it?

Answer 1

The United States Army explains the salute's history. "Originally warships fired seven-gun salutes -- the number seven probably selected because of its astrological and Biblical significance." Land-based cannons had a higher capacity for gun powder and "were able to fire three guns for every shot fired afloat, hence the salute by shore batteries was 21 guns." Eventually, as gun powder improved, ships fired 21 guns, too.

Many confuse the 21-gun salute with the 3-volley salute. The 21-gun salute is used primarily as a greeting. It's fired during presidential arrivals and departures and when heads of state visit. Also, it's not limited to the United States -- many countries have similar ceremonies. The 3-volley salute, on the other hand, is performed during police and military funerals by the Honor Guard and is intended as a reminder of the departed's sacrifice.

While the two salutes look (and sound) similar, the 21-gun salute is considered the higher honor.

Answer 2

It is an ancient tradition, going back to the 1600s.

The standard number of guns on a British ship was seven. And back then gunpowder was much easier to keep dry on land than at sea. Tradition grew to where 3 times as many shots would be fired from land than at sea, thus the total of 21. The tradition began where if your ship had only 7 guns, and you fired them all, you were unarmed. You would be sending a salute in volunteering to disarm yourself.
When the British would send a salute to others it would be this way. Other countries adapted their own processes.
The British later moved to a gun for gun tradition. The United States agreed in 1875.

Today 21 is usually reserved for the highest honor, like the President of the USA. Lesser positions like an Army general would receive only 19 guns.

Answer 3

The simple answer is this -

Firing guns as a salute is done for the same reason as removing your hat and bowing - it puts you in an inferior position compared to the person (or forces) you are facing.

Guns weren't always automatic - every time you fired it, you had to reload it, by cleaning out the barrel, putting powder in, putting the ball in, ramming it down, and so on. If you fired off all your guns, it showed that you were making yourself incapable of attacking, and therefore not hostile.

Answer 4

The custom of rendering a salute by way of cannon originated in the 14th century as firearms and cannons got here into use. because those early instruments contained basically one projectile, discharging them as quickly as rendered them ineffective. initially warships fired seven-gun salutes--the type seven in all likelihood chosen because of the fact of its astrological and Biblical magnitude. Seven planets have been pointed out and the stages of the moon replaced each and every seven days. The Bible states that God rested on the seventh day after introduction, that each and every seventh 300 and sixty 5 days grew to become into sabbatical and that the seven circumstances seventh 300 and sixty 5 days ushered in the Jubilee 300 and sixty 5 days. Land batteries, having a greater physically powerful furnish of gunpowder, have been waiting to hearth 3 weapons for each shot fired afloat, as a result the salute by way of shore batteries grew to become into 21 weapons. The distinctive of three in all likelihood grew to become into chosen because of the magical magnitude of the type 3 in many historic civilizations. Early gunpowder, composed particularly of sodium nitrate, spoiled actual at sea, yet would desire to be stored cooler and drier in land magazines. whilst potassium nitrate more suitable the customary of gunpowder, ships at sea observed the salute of 21 weapons. The 21-gun salute grew to alter into the optimal honor a united states of america rendered. various customs between the maritime powers brought about confusion in saluting and return of salutes. super Britain, the international's preeminent seapower in the 18th and nineteenth centuries, forced weaker countries to salute first, and for a time monarchies won greater weapons than did republics. finally, by way of contract, the international salute grew to become into common at 21 weapons, besides the actuality that the united states did no longer agree in this technique till August 1875.

Answer 5

Well a neat coincidence is the year of our independence 1776 if you add 1+7+7+6 it equals 21 its doewnt give the reason but it is neat

Answer 6

Last time HMS Victory fired her guns was in c1900 when HM Queen Victoria's coffin came back to Portsmouth from the I.o.W - think that was probably about the most awesome sight and sound.

Answer 7

It goes back to the days when warships carried 20 large cannons... 10 on each side of the ship.. so when the King or a dignitary was honored, they would fire all 20 large cannons PLUS the smaller signling cannon on the poop deck... so they would fire ALL their cannons as a salute.

Answer 8

Hope this answers your question...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.

Answer 9

i can only tell you that it is a military customsand has been for the presdent on down to the E-1 all get the 21 gun salute

Answer 10

hi try this site

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21-gun_salute

cathybaby x