7th District of Wisconsin American Legion General Information
Page Last Updated on May 08, 2007
The Origin of the 21-Gun Salute
Reprinted from American Legion Newsletter
21-Gun Salute Originated With British Navy; Sign of Respect for Fallen Chiefs
Former President Richard Nixon's nationally televised funeral prompted numerous inquiries from Legionnaires asking about aspects of the military honors afforded the commander-in-chief and all who wore the uniform.
"Many Legionnaires we heard from were particularly interested in the origins of the 21-gun salute and why the honor guard fires three volleys over the grave of the fallen,"says Steve Short, assistant director of the National Americanism and Children & Youth Division, at National Headquarters in Indianapolis.
Short says explanations vary, but he conducted some research and came up with "the most commonly accepted" accounts explaining the rituals.
According to L. P. Lovette's Naval Customs, Traditions and Usage,the custom of firing cannon salutes originated with the British Navy. In those days of muzzle-loaders, arming cannons took much time and effort; a ship that discharged all its cannons was virtually helpless, so firing cannons in salute became a sign of respect and trust.
"In earlier days,"Short says, "the British confined salutes from sea to seven guns, while forts could fire three shots for every blast from a ship's cannon."
The British followed this procedure because the gunpowder made from sodium nitrate was easier to store on shore than aboard ship. Once potassium nitrate came into use, ships began firing 21-gun salutes, too.
Eventually, the British visiting American ports proposed the two nations exchange salutes gun for gun. The U. S. adopted the 21-gun salute August 18, 1875.
Short said the practice of firing three volleys over the grave of a fallen warrior originated with the European dynastic wars, when fighting was halted to remove the dead and wounded. Once both sides cleared their soldiers from the field, three volleys sounded to signal resumption of the fight.
