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A 21-gun salute is the most commonly recognized of the customary gun salutes that are performed by the firing of cannons or artillery as a military honor. As naval customs evolved, 21 guns came to be fired for heads of state , or in exceptional circumstances for heads of government , with the number decreasing with the rank of the recipient of the honor.
- A. HISTORY
- B. REMEMBRANCE DAY MEMORIAL SALUTE
The gun salute has been used for centuries to honour royalty or persons of distinguished title or rank or to mark a special occasion. This custom has its origins in naval tradition. In the days of sail, ships guns were constantly “charged” or kept fully loaded in preparation for battle. As a ship approached port, it would “clear” or fire its guns. The length of time that it took to swab, re-load and run out the guns again left a ship vulnerable to shore battery fire. This gesture was thus considered an expression of a ship’s friendly intent. Other gun salutes are meant as a salute to dignitaries. It is interesting to note these guns salutes are fired as an odd number ie. 21 gun salute. The old superstition was that an odd number was considered divine or “lucky” and used to mark joyous occasions whereas even numbers were often used to mark solemn occasions such as funerals. Prior to 1731, the number of guns used to mark salutes was unregulated. The British Admiralty, in 1731, took steps to regulate this by decreeing that a “royal salute was to be such a number of guns as the Chief Officer shall think proper, not exceeding 21 guns each ship.”
Today, the Canadian Forces fire salutes from ships and by the Royal Canadian Artillery from designated saluting stations nationwide. A list of designated firing stations can be found in CFP A-DH-200-000/AG-000 The Heritage Structure of the CAF Chapter 13, Section 2, Paragraph 9.
REFERENCE:
A-AD-200-000/AG-000 The Heritage Structure of the Canadian Armed Forces, Chapter 13, Section 2, Paragraph 17
Nov 1, 2018 · Great Britain, the world's preeminent sea power 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.
- Rod Powers
Jun 1, 2003 · On Memorial Day, a salute of 21 minute guns (i.e., guns discharged at one-minute intervals) is fired at noon while the flag is flown at half staff. The 21-gun salute is often confused with the ...
Jan 2, 2023 · Some theorize that it’s related to the seven phases of the moon, others think it has to do with the biblical week, and some say it’s simply because seven is a lucky freakin’ number. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, embarked on Indianapolis, receives a 21-gun salute from Coast Guard Cutter Mojave, during the presidential fleet, 1934.
- Tim Kirkpatrick
A 21-gun salute is the most commonly recognized of the customary gun salutes that are performed by the firing of cannons or artillery as a military honor. As naval customs evolved, 21 guns came to be fired for heads of state , or in exceptional circumstances for heads of government , with the number decreasing with the rank of the recipient of the honor.
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Jan 21, 2021 · The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs states that by 1730, the British navy had taken up the 21-gun salute for certain special occasions having to do with the royal family, but it was not made the standard royal salute until 1808. According to Military One Source, the U.S. National Salute was aligned with the number of states in the union ...
