This message was originally addressed to LORI HATHAWAY 
and was forwarded to you by LORI HATHAWAY 
 
Dear Sandy, 
I found you!  Here is the file forwarded.  Came from Dale Hill, Fargo, 
ND.  Enjoy.        Lori 
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here's the second one.... 
  
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                  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 of 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."                                                  
  
Source:  Headquarters, Military District of Washington 
Michael Furman  
US Army Recruiting Battalion Seattle Washington 
contact: 6LBN-IM@emh2.usarec.army.mil  
 
--- TriDog 10.0 
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