- Many countries use a 21-gun salute on special occasions.Army on guard with rifle image by patrimonio designs from Fotolia.com
Countries all over the world have adopted the custom of using a gun salute as a means of honoring special occasions. Usually done by a branch of that country's military, the gun salute is regarded as the highest honor a nation can render. As a result, there are a few general commonalities that are distinguishable among these different countries. - Gun salutes have been practiced for many centuries. The international practice now dictates that countries fire the same amount of shots as a way to show equality among nations. Originally, however, firing seven guns was recognized as a customary salute due to there commonly only being seven weapons on a vessel. Whenever a ship fired its seven guns, the forts located on land would shoot two shots for one shot afloat, allowing the total number of shots fired to be 21. Now the 21-gun salute has become the norm.
- In Canada, gun salutes are used to celebrate national holidays, as well as recognizing foreign officials. Some of the holidays that are commemorated with 21-gun salutes include Canada Day (July 1), Remembrance Day (November 11) and Victoria Day (May 24). Great Britain also employs 21-gun salutes on special holidays, and when a head of state visits. They salute the Queen's official birthday (one of the first three Saturdays in June), Prince Charles's birthday (November 14) and the birthday of the Duke of Edinburgh (June 10).
- In the United states, the national salute of 21 guns is fired for a variety of reasons outside of holidays. Today the 21-gun salute is fired in honor of the national flag of the U.S. or any visiting country, and when an ambassador or chief of state of a foreign nation visits. Any member of a reigning royal family also gets the 21-gun salute upon arrival. The President of the United States receives a 21-gun salute rather frequently. He receives one whenever he arrives or leaves the country, as well as on special days, such as his birthday, or the birthday of any member of the first family. The Fourth of July, Veterans Day and Memorial Day are days that the U.S. also designates use of the 21-gun salute.
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