The 21-gun salute that we know today has its
roots in the ancient tradition of warriors
demonstrating their peaceful intentions by
resting the point of their weapons on the
ground.
The notion of making a soldier’s weapons
useless to show that he came in peace
continued even as warfare changed over the
centuries. Gunpowder and cannons became
commonplace among militaries and private
forces, both on land and at sea around the 14th
century. In order for a ship entering a foreign
port to show those on shore that they came in
peace, the captain would have his crew fire the
guns. This rendered the weapons inoperable for
a period of time, with early guns only being
capable of firing a shot before crews
needed to reload them. This then brings us to when firing the 21 shots
became considered a type of official salute,
rather than a symbolic way to indicate peaceful
intentions. This seems to have started around
1730 when it became a recognized salute to
British government officials. Specifically, the
British Navy allowed its ships and captains the
option to perform the 21-gun salute as a way to
honor members of the British Royal Family
during select anniversaries. About eighty years
later, in 1808, the 21-gun salute officially
became the standard salute to honor British
Royalty. That said, the United States did make the
“Presidential Salute” a 21-gun salute in 1842,
and in 1890 officially accepted the 21-gun salute
as the “national salute.” This followed the 1875
British proposal to the United States of a “Gun
for Gun Salute” of 21-guns to honor visiting
dignitaries. Essentially, the British and French,
among other nations, at this point were all using
21 guns for their salutes, but the U.S. system
required many more shots for their dignitaries.
Besides needing to fire off more cannons, this
also potentially signified greater honor to the
U.S. dignitaries than to those of other nations.
Thus, the British proposed a 1 for 1 shot, with
21 being the number, which was accepted by
the U.S. on August 18, 1875. the United States did make the
“Presidential Salute” a 21-gun salute in 1842,
and in 1890 officially accepted the 21-gun salute
as the “national salute.” This followed the 1875
British proposal to the United States of a “Gun
for Gun Salute” of 21-guns to honor visiting
dignitaries. Essentially, the British and French,
among other nations, at this point were all using
21 guns for their salutes, but the U.S. system
required many more shots for their dignitaries.
Besides needing to fire off more cannons, this
also potentially signified greater honor to the
U.S. dignitaries than to those of other nations.
Thus, the British proposed a 1 for 1 shot, with
21 being the number, which was accepted by
the U.S. on August 18, 1875.
The 21-gun salute still represents a significant
honor today, the 21-gun
salute occurs to honor a President, former
president, or the head of foreign state. It can
also be fired in order to honor the United States
Flag. The salute also occurs at noon on the day
of the funeral of a President, former President,
or President-elect along with on Memorial Day.



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OK

.....

I'll be saluted by them one day

#Determined

Thank you @ OP

Basildvalour:
I'll be saluted by them one day

#Determined

So help you God...

Thanks for dropping this knowledge OP.