21-gun salute
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. While the 21-gun salute is the most commonly recognized, the number of rounds fired in any given salute will vary depending on the conditions. Circumstances affecting these variations include the particular occasion and, in the case of military and state funerals, the branch of service, and rank of the person to whom honors are being rendered.
History
The tradition of saluting can be traced to the Late Middle Ages practice of placing oneself in an unarmed position and, therefore, in the power of those being honored. This may be noted in the dropping of the point of the sword, presenting arms, discharging cannon and small arms by firing them, lowering sails, manning the yards, removing the headdress or laying on oars..
The custom stems from naval tradition in the sixteenth century, when a warship entering a foreign port would fire each of its cannons while still out of range of targets. Since cannons then required a considerable time to reload, the ship was effectively disarmed, signifying the lack of hostile intent. In the earliest days, seven guns was the recognized British national salute because seven was the standard number of weapons on a vessel. In those days, gunpowder made from sodium nitrate was easier to keep on dry land than at sea. The early regulations stated that although a ship would fire only seven guns, the forts ashore would fire three shots to each one shot afloat, hence the number 21.
The system of firing an odd number of rounds is said to have been originated by Samuel Pepys, Secretary to the Navy in the Restoration, as a way of economizing on the use of powder, the rule until that time having been that all guns had to be fired. Odd numbers were chosen, as even numbers indicated a death.
With the increase in quality of naval gunpowder by the use of potassium nitrate, honors rendered at sea were increased to the shore salute. 21 guns became the highest national honor.
There was much confusion because of the varying customs of maritime states, but finally the British government proposed to the United States a regulation that provided for "salutes to be returned gun for gun". The British at that time officially considered the international salute to sovereign states to be 21 guns, and the United States adopted the 21 guns and "gun for gun" return on 18 August 1875.
By country
Bangladesh
The 21-gun salute in Bangladesh is generally used for:- Martyrs
- Opening the Victory Day parade on 16 December and the Independence Day celebration on 26 March.
- Occasions that happen to be largely associated with any national achievements or celebrations.
Canada
21-gun salutes are used for these people and holidays:
- The sovereign
- The Governor General of Canada
- Foreign heads of state
- Members of foreign reigning royal families
- The monarch's official birthday
- Canada Day
- Remembrance Day – the historically correct practice of firing the "Funeral Salute" at one minute intervals was revived by The Seymour Artillery Company at Port Moody, BC, in 2007 and has been adopted at other sites since that date,
- Birth of a member of the Royal Family
A 17-gun salute is given to the Canadian Minister of National Defence when visiting a saluting station, as well as foreign ministers of defence.
A 15-gun salute is given on certain occasions for the lieutenant governors of the provinces, such as the Speech from the Throne in a provincial legislature, or for special occasions such as state funerals of important persons.
Before they were abolished in 1968 by the Trudeau government, royal salutes were fired in Ottawa, the provincial capitals, and Montreal and Vancouver also on the Queen's Accession Day, the Queen's actual birthday, the Queen's Coronation Day, the Birthday of the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Birthday of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
China
The 21-gun salute is used in the People's Republic of China in honor of the President during state visits to the country's capital, Beijing, with the guns manned by the State Honors Artillery Battery of the Beijing Garrison Command, attached to the Beijing Garrison Honor Guard Battalion. During the following holidays a 21-gun salute is also fired to commence military parades with the raising of the national flag:- 3 September, Victory over Japan Day
- 1 October, National Day
Czech Republic
The salute was given to the ex-president Václav Havel by an artillery battery of four cannons from the Petřín hill on 23 December 2011 during the commemorative service after his death.
Denmark
Gun salutes are used for a variety of occasions, mostly in honor of the Danish Royal Family. There are permanent salutory guns in place at Kronborg Castle in Elsinore, the Sixtus battery at Holmen Naval Base in Copenhagen, as well as at the naval base at Kangilinnguit in Greenland.A 27-gun salute is used in honor of Majesties, whereas the 21-gun salute is used in honor of other members of the Danish Royal Family.
Gun salutes occur on:
- 16 April – Birthday of the Queen
- 6 July - The annual victory parade of the battle of Fredericia
- At the occasion of royal births
- At the occasion of royal funerals
The day after the birth of Princess Benedikte in 1944 which took place during Nazi Germany's Occupation of Denmark, members of the Danish resistance group Holger Danske performed a salute of 21 bombs in the Ørstedsparken public park in central Copenhagen as a reference to the traditional 21-gun salute performed at the occasion of royal births.
France
The 21-gun is accorded to the French president, forming part of his "military honors". The salute is given during the inauguration ceremony and during naval visits. These honors are extended to foreign heads of state when in State visit.All French Navy vessels anchored in a French harbor on Bastille Day must issue a 21-gun salute at noon, subjected to local regulation.
India
The 21-gun salute is accorded to the President of India on several occasions. As soon as a new President is sworn in, a 21-gun salute is given. On Republic Day of India, every year, a 21-gun salute is given to the National Flag and the President, during the Flag Hoisting Ceremony. When a foreign head of State or head of government visits India, a formal reception is held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and the head of state is given a 21-gun salute, with a 19-gun salute given to a foreign head of government.During the British Raj, India developed a formal hierarchical system of gun salutes. At the time of Indian independence in 1947, the hierarchy of salutes within British India stood as follows:
| Number of guns | Recipients |
| 101 |
|
| 31 |
|
| 21 | |
| 19 | |
| 17 | |
| 15 | |
| 13 | |
| 11 | |
| 9 |
The more important of the hundreds of vassal rulers of princely states involved in indirect rule were classified by the number of guns used when paying honours to them, signifying their prestige in the eyes of the British. The highest of these so-called "salute states" enjoyed 21 guns.
During British colonial rule in India, the heads of the following states received 21-gun salutes:
- Hyderabad
- Mysore
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Baroda
- Gwalior
- Bhopal
- Indore
- Udaipur
- Kolhapur
- Travancore
- Kalat
- Bharatpur
- Bikaner
- Cutch
- Jaipur/Amber
- Jodhpur/Marwar
- Patiala
- Tonk
- Bundi
- Bahawalpur
- Kotah
- Cochin
- Karauli
- Rewa
Indonesia
The modified 17-gun salute is executed during the commemoration of the precise seconds of the proclamation of the independence every 17 August at 10:00 near the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. It is also done in other cities in Indonesia during the independence day commemoration ceremonies. See the 17-gun salute in Indonesia here:
Israel
In Israel the practice of gun salute has been eliminated due to having "suffered many terror attacks". The three-volley salute is still used in military funerals.Italy
In Italy the 21-gun salute is used everyday in Rome, using a WWII 105/22 gun, soldiers from Artillery Headquarters fire the guns at 12.00. This ceremony is performed from April 21st 1959 to celebrate the 2712th foundation anniversary of the city of Rome. All are personnel of the Italian Army.Philippines
The 21-gun salute is used in events such as the inauguration of the President, death of a top military official, death of a former president or courtesy calls of foreign leaders during their state visits. The practice is heavily influenced by the United States.Gun salutes can occur on:
- 30 June – The official date of Inaugurations
- Selected day in March – Graduation Parade of the Philippine Military Academy
- 23 March – Army Day
- 9 April – Araw ng Kagitingan
- 20 May – Navy Day
- 12 June – Independence Day
- 1 July – Air Force Day
- 21 December – Founding of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
- On the occasions of service change of command ceremonies and ceremonial parades
The three-volley gun salute can also occur in the death of the low ranking military officials and soldiers who died heroically in combat while the 21-guns are reserved upon news of the deaths of national leaders. The normal 21-gun salute is also given to visiting heads of state upon their arrival at Malacañang Palace, with the guns manned by the Presidential Security Group.
Other salutes include 19 guns for the Vice President of the Philippines, 17 for the Chief of Staff, AFP, service commanders and the Secretary of National Defense. 15 guns are fired for other Cabinet secretaries.
Poland
In Poland the 21-gun salute is used in military funerals and funerals of fallen leaders and heroes. Known as the Salwa Honorowa, it is also used in national holidays.Pakistan
In Pakistan a 21-gun salute is used on occasions such as on Pakistan Day, on which a 21-gun salute is given in provincial capitals and 31 in Islamabad, the federal capital. It is also given on Independence Day and Defence Day. A 31-gun salute in Islamabad and a 21-gun salute in provincial capitals is also given on 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal the birth date of Prophet Muhammad. It is also given when a foreign president or prime minister visits Pakistan.Romania
The 21-gun salute is performed by the Romanian Armed Forces in honor of the National Day, the National Anthem or Flag, in honor of the head of state or for foreign heads of state when on state visit to the country.Russia
Russia uses a 21-gun salute on holidays such as on Defender of the Fatherland Day, Victory Day, and Russia Day, during parades and during the nighttime ceremony of salute firing on holidays. Contrary to belief, foreign leaders are not entitled to a 21-gun salute during state visits to Russia.Singapore
A 21-gun salute is carried out for National Day Parades in Singapore by the Singapore Artillery during the presidential inspection of parade contingents.In a rare occurrence, the 21-gun salute was given to the former Prime Minister and founding leader Lee Kuan Yew during his state funeral.
Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Artillery carries out a 21-gun salute on state occasions, accorded to the President or a visiting heads of state. The salute is delivered from Ordnance QF 25 pounders of the Ceremonial Gun Troop.Traditionally, the Sri Lanka Navy accords a 25-gun salute to the nation on the National day, which is 4 February each year. The salute is fired from the ceremonial naval gun battery at Colombo Lighthouse. It began with HMCyS Vijaya of the Royal Ceylon Navy, the first warship of the navy according a 25-gun salute on 4 February 1951 with its single 4-inch gun.
Sweden
21-gun salutes mark special royal occasions throughout Sweden, referred to as a Kunglig Salut. The number of rounds fired in a salute depends on the place and occasion. The basic salute is 21 rounds. However, when a birth takes place within the Royal House of Sweden, and the child is the firstborn to either the reigning monarch or to the heir to the throne, an extra 21 rounds are added to the normal salute. In all other births 21 rounds are fired.Gun salutes occur on:
- 28 January – Name day of the King
- 30 April – Birthday of the King
- 6 June – National day of Sweden
- 14 July – Birthday of Crown Princess Victoria
- 8 August – Name day of the Queen
- 23 December – Birthday of the Queen
Military saluting stations are Skeppsholmen and Kastellholmen in Stockholm, Fortress of Kungshall in Karlskrona, Battery of Fårösund on the island of Gotland, Boden Fortress in Boden, Battery of Kusthöjden in Härnösand, Vaxholm Castle in Vaxholm, Skansen Lejonet Fortress and Älvsborg Castle in Gothenburg.
19-gun salutes are used for heads of government, cabinet ministers and ambassadors.
The Swedish Armed Forces also use a gun salute consisting of two rapid gunshots. This salute, called Svensk Lösen, was fired whenever a Swedish ship would enter a harbour in order to identify the ship as Swedish, or on the field of battle to identify the Swedish troops. Sometimes a double signal was fired, i.e. four gunshots fired two and two, hence the Swedish tradition of a fourfold cheer instead of a threefold. This signal is today fired on special occasions, usually within the military.
Taiwan
The 21-gun salute is used in Taiwan in honor of the President during National Day celebrations. After military band trumpeters sound the attention call, the audience is asked to stand up as the President enters. After she or he stands in the podium, the gun salute starts while the gun salute music is played. In some celebrations, it is done while the National Anthem is played, preceded by five ruffles and flourishes by a military band.United Kingdom
21-gun salutes mark special royal occasions throughout the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, referred to as a "Royal Salute", unless rendered to the president or flag of a republic; nonetheless salutes rendered to all heads of state regardless of title are casually referred to as "royal" salutes.The number of rounds fired in a salute depends on the place and occasion. The basic salute is 21 rounds. In Hyde Park and Green Park an extra 20 rounds are added because they are Royal Parks. At the Tower of London 62 rounds are fired on royal anniversaries and 41 on other occasions. The Tower of London probably holds the record for the most rounds fired in a single salute – 124 are fired whenever the Duke of Edinburgh's birthday coincides with the Saturday designated as the Queen's official birthday.
Gun salutes occur on:
- Accession Day
- The Queen's actual birthday
- Coronation Day
- The birthday of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
- The Queen's official birthday
- The birthday of Charles, Prince of Wales
- The morning of bonfire night to symbolise Guy Fawkes being found under the houses of parliament.
Authorized military saluting stations are:
in England:
- Hyde Park, London
- The Tower of London
- Royal Arsenal, Woolwich
- York Museum Gardens
- Colchester
- Royal Artillery Barracks, Larkhill
- Royal Citadel, Plymouth
- Dover Castle
- Her Majesty's Naval Base, Portsmouth
- Edinburgh Castle
- Stirling Castle
- Cardiff
- Hillsborough Castle
In London, salutes are fired from Hyde Park and the Tower of London; on State Visits, at the State Opening of Parliament and for Trooping the Colour, Green Park is used instead of Hyde Park. In Hyde Park, the salute is fired by the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery. The first round is fired at noon. At the Tower of London, the salute is fired by the Honourable Artillery Company at 1pm.
Salutes in Northern Ireland are usually fired from Hillsborough Castle by 206 Battery, although recently they have also been fired from HMS Caroline in Belfast Harbour.
19-gun salutes are used for Field Marshals, ambassadors, and the heads of executive branch of Parliamentary governments.
At 6am annually, in the market town of Lewes, a mortar is fired from the battlements to mark when Guy Fawkes was found and marks the start of Bonfire Night. The mortar is traditionally followed by the sound fire crackers and bangers being let off throughout the town.
United States
On 16 November 1776, the West Indian port of St. Eustatius returned a 9-gun salute for the 13-gun salute given by the U.S. brigantine Andrew Doria. At the time, nine guns was the customary salute to an independent republic. This First Salute was specifically ordered by the Dutch governor of the island, and marks the first formal international recognition of the United States as an independent republic. The flag flown by the Andrew Doria was the Grand Union Flag, 13 alternating red and white stripes with the British Flag in the union. The Stars and Stripes received its first salute when John Paul Jones saluted France with 13 guns at Quiberon Bay in 1778.The practice of firing one gun for each state in the union was not officially authorized until 1810, when the United States Department of War declared the number of rounds fired in the "National Salute" to be equivalent to the number of states—which, at the time was 17. The tradition continued until 1841 when it was reduced from 26 to 21.
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.
In April 1914, during the Mexican Revolution, the Tampico Affair occurred, and escalated as a result of a twenty-one gun salute. Nine unarmed U.S. sailors were arrested in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico, for entering an off-limit area at a fuel loading station. Despite being released, the U.S. Naval commander demanded an apology and a twenty-one gun salute. The apology was provided, but not the salute, giving President Woodrow Wilson reason to order the U.S. occupation of the port of Veracruz.
On Memorial Day, batteries on military installations fire a 21-gun salute to the nation's fallen. As well, batteries at Naval stations and on ships, 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 are immediately followed by "Hail to the Chief"—the actual gun salute begins with the first ruffle and flourish, and 'run long'. A 21-gun salute is also rendered to former U.S. Presidents, foreign Heads of State, as well as to Presidents-elect. In such a ceremony, the national anthem of the visiting dignitary's country is played, following the salute.
In accordance with the ceremonial standard operating procedure of the 3rd U.S. Infantry the various gun salutes are assigned as follows: each round in a given salute is fired one at a time. The number of cannon used in a battery depends upon the intervals between each round fired. This includes, for example, a three-gun battery firing two of its guns with five-second intervals between rounds and one gun remaining at the ready in case of a misfire; such a battery would be used at an Armed Forces Full Honors Funeral, or for State Arrival Ceremony of a foreign dignitary at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. A four-gun battery has its first three guns firing rounds at three-second intervals, with the fourth gun at the ready in case of misfire.
The SOP also provides each gun salute a two-man gun crew for each cannon, as well as a five-man "staff" of soldiers to give the fire commands. The staff includes an Officer in Charge, a watchman, an assistant watchman, a counter, and a Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge.
Naval vessels now have saluting guns installed which are used solely for such purpose.
Nineteen-gun salutes are reserved for the Vice President of the United States, foreign deputy heads of state, cabinet members, Speaker of the House of Representatives, President pro tempore of the Senate, Chief Justice of the United States, state Governors, foreign heads of government, chiefs of staff and general officers in the U.S. military of five-star rank. For each flag rank junior to a five-star officer, two guns are subtracted.
A gun salute is not to be confused with the three-volley salute often rendered at military funerals.
The gun salutes fired in the United States are as follows:
| Number of guns | Recipients |
| 21 |
|
| 19 | Vice President of the United States, Speaker of the House of Representatives, President pro tempore of the Senate, Chief Justice of the United States, Cabinet officers. Governors of a U.S. state, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Director of Defense Research and Engineering, a Prime Minister or Premier, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, the Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, a Fleet Admiral, General of the Army or General of the Air Force and Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and others whose credentials are at least equivalent to those of an ambassador. |
| 17 | Governor General or Governor of a Territory, Commonwealth, or Possession of the United States or an area under U.S. administration, Committee of Congress, Assistant Secretaries of Defense, General Counsel of the Department of Defense, Under Secretaries of the Army, Navy, or Air Force. Admiral, General. |
| 15 | Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. Vice Admiral, Lieutenant General. |
| 13 | Minister Resident; Rear Admiral, Major General |
| 11 | Chargé d'Affaires, Consul general, Consul, or Vice Consul when in charge of a consulate-general. Brigadier general; Rear Admiral |
| 7 | Consuls accredited to the U.S. Vice-consuls when in charge of consulate. |
| 5 | Vice-consuls and consular agents. |
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 honor 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.
Venezuela
A 21-gun salute by an artillery battalion from either the Venezuelan Army or the Venezuelan Marine Corps is fired on the following dates:- On the inauguration of a new President
- State funerals of former Presidents
- 15 January, for the State of the Nation Address
- 24 June, Army Day
- 5 July, Independence Day
- 24 July, Navy Day
- 27 November, Air Force Day
Media
Cultural references
The title of the Green Day song "21 Guns" is a reference to a 21-gun salute.In the song "For Those About to Rock " by AC/DC 21-gun salutes are mentioned, including the use of Napoleonic cannons.
The song "Move Now" by Nonpoint also includes a reference.
In the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, when the Grandfather sings "Posh" whilst dangling from a hot air balloon, there is a line "they 21 gun salute me".
Boston-based Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys recorded the song "21 Guitar Salute" on their 2002 split EP Face to Face vs. Dropkick Murphys.
The 21-gun salute are also mentioned in the song "Methods to your Madness" by heavy metal band Metal Church.
Another mention is in the Clutch song "The Mob Goes Wild".
British Grime artist Stormzy included a song titled "21 Gun Salute" on his debut album Gang Signs & Prayer.
The 2000 U.S. Open Golf Championship, held at the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links, saw a unique twist on the 21-gun salute. The tournament's defending champion, Payne Stewart, had died in a plane crash the previous October. Before the tournament began, a ceremony was held in Stewart's memory in which 21 golfers lined up on the 18th fairway and hit drives into the Pacific Ocean.