21-gun salute
21 shot gun salute
A 21-gun salute is the most commonly recognized of the customary gun salutes that are performed by the firing of cannon 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. 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 (or office) of the person to whom honors are being rendered, with the number decreasing with the rank.
History
The custom stems from naval tradition in the sixteenth century, when a warship would show its peaceful intent by firing its cannons harmlessly out to sea until its ammunition was depleted. 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. 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.
Odd numbers were chosen, as even numbers indicated a death.
By country
Canada
(British) royal family members, as well as foreign heads-of-state, and the Governor General of Canada are given a 21-gun salute.
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