Editor's Corner

Dear Editrix,

I have a few questions for you.

§ What is the 21-gun salute?

§ Why 21 guns?

§ When is it used?

Sincerely,

Ammo Annie

Dear Annie,

Interesting questions. I checked the Arlington Cemetery website, the U.S. Army Center of Military History, and Wikipedia.

The salute has a history much older than our country. It is from the 14th century and it is a naval tradition. Back in the day of ships and cannons, a warship signified “its lack of hostile intent by firing its cannons out to sea until all ammunition was spent.” The British generally had seven cannons per vessel, so they’d shoot the seven cannons to signify peace. From the Arlington site:

“Because greater quantities of gunpowder could be stored on dry land, forts could fire three rounds for every one fired at sea — hence the number 21. With the improvement of naval gunpowder, honors rendered at sea increased to 21, as well. The 21-gun salute eventually became the international standard.

In the United States, the custom has changed over time. In 1810, the War Department defined the "national salute" as equal to the number of states in the Union (at the time, 17). This salute was fired by all U.S. military installations on Independence Day and whenever the president visited a military installation. In 1842, the 21-gun salute was designated as the "presidential salute," and in 1875 the United States followed Britain in adopting the 21-gun salute as its international salute.

One question I have after reading this excerpt is: Do we have seven people shoot three times now, or are there 21 people shooting? From what I could gather, we currently fire 21 guns, one human at the end of each. There is a chart on Wikipedia for different countries, including the U.S. and how many guns are used for certain occasions, for example: (from Wikipedia)

In 1842, the United States declared the 21-gun salute as its "Presidential Salute". While the "National Salute" had been formally established as the 21-gun salute, the current tradition holds the salute on Independence Day to be a 50 rounds—one round for each state in the union. This ‘Salute to the Nation’ is fired at noon on 4 July, on U.S. military installations. The U.S. Navy recognizes Presidents’ Day and Memorial Day with a 21-gun salute at 1200.

I’m sure that there are folks out there with more information, but that’s what this civilian could gather. I hope that informs you a little better. I am amazed that the salute has been going on for so long, and that it has remained such a steady tradition.

Thanks for asking the question and leading me to something new!

Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | Technical Publications

Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com

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