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.

The custom stems from naval tradition, where a warship would fire its cannons harmlessly out to sea, until all ammunition was spent, to show that it was disarmed, signifying the lack of hostile intent. As naval customs evolved, 21 guns came to be fired for heads of state, or in exceptional circumstances for head 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 (or office) 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.

Podcasts:

PLAYLIST TIME:

Latest News for: 21-gun salute

Edit

Pakistan celebrates 85th Republic Day

The Peninsula 23 Mar 2025
Islamabad ... The day started with a 31-gun salute in the capital Islamabad, and a 21-gun salute in provincial capitals while prayer ceremonies were held across the country for the nation's progress and prosperity ... .
Edit

Nation celebrates Pakistan Day with patriotic zeal and pride

Kashmir Media Service 23 Mar 2025
Islamabad ... The celebrations began with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in the provinces. Special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for the country’s prosperity and progress ... Yet, this is not where we stop ... ....
Edit

Change of guard ceremony held at Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum on Pakistan Day

Urdu Point 23 Mar 2025
<p>LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Mar, 2025) The nation is celebrating Pakistan Day with traditional zeal and enthusiasm, marking the historic resolution passed on March 23, ...
Edit

Nation celebrates Pakistan Day with zeal, leaders reaffirm commitment to progress

Urdu Point 23 Mar 2025
</p><p>The day began with a 21-gun salute in the provincial capital, followed by a change of guard ceremony at the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal, where the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) assumed duties from the Pakistan Rangers.
Edit

March 23 parade: Islamabad police issue traffic management plan

The News International 22 Mar 2025
Pakistan troops from the Special Services Group (SSG) march during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23. — AFP/ File. ISLAMABAD ... The day dawns with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in provincial capitals ... .
Edit

Cabinet nod to ₹7K-cr deal for 307 locally made artillery guns

Hindustan Times 21 Mar 2025
In a first, an Atags prototype was deployed for the ceremonial 21-gun salute at the 75th Independence Day ceremony at Red Fort in 2022 along with British guns that have been traditionally used for the event.
Edit

Buffalo’s Short-Lived Marine Airport

Buffalo Rising 21 Mar 2025
Author. Dr. Kathryn Grow Allen . Originally written for the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy. On a summer Sunday in 1932, Navy planes and a 21-gun salute dedicated new marine airport facilities at the Buffalo waterfront. Naval Rear Admiral F.R ... .
Edit

Army to get locally made arty guns worth ₹7,000 cr

Hindustan Times 20 Mar 2025
In a first, an ATAGS prototype was deployed for the ceremonial 21-gun salute at the 75th Independence Day ceremony at Red Fort in 2022 along with British guns that have been traditionally used for the event.
Edit

Meet 'Lal Pari': Red beauty that stole hearts at vintage car show in Gurugram

Hindustan Times 19 Mar 2025
And, even 75 years after its manufacturing, the MG YT tourer continues to win hearts and charm people, as it picked an award at the 11th edition of the 21 Gun Salute Concours d'Elegance held at a sprawling golf links in Gurugram recently ... ....
Edit

Kenya: Dutch King Willem-Alexander Accorded 21-Gun Salute in Formal Reception At State House, Nairobi

All Africa 18 Mar 2025
Nairobi -- Dutch King Willem-Alexander has been accorded a 21-gun salute during a formal reception at State House in Nairobi ahead of bilateral talks with President William Ruto ....
Edit

Kenya hosts Dutch royals as allegations of human rights abuses mount

Wtop 18 Mar 2025
The Dutch royals arrived on Monday night for a three-day visit. King Willem-Alexander was honored with a 21-gun salute and inspected an honor guard President William Ruto ’s government office on Tuesday morning ... Source .
Edit

Kenya hosts Dutch royals as allegations of rights abuses mount in the East African nation

North Shore News 18 Mar 2025
The Dutch royals arrived on Monday night for a three-day visit. Willem-Alexander was honored with a 21-gun salute and inspected an honor guard, the office of President William Ruto said on Tuesday morning ... .
Edit

Lorain County Navy veteran receives 21-gun salute in Amherst

The Morning Journal 16 Mar 2025
A 21-gun salute recently took place in honor of Kenneth Gorbey, a U.S ... A 21-gun salute was held at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park in Amherst to honor Kenneth Gorbey.
Edit

Red-carpet welcome ceremony for Party General Secretary Tô Lâm in Jakarta

Vietnam News 11 Mar 2025
&nbsp; ... As the two leaders ascended the ceremonial platform, the national anthems of Việt Nam and Indonesia were played, accompanied by a 21-gun salute, symbolising Indonesia's high regard for the visit ...   ... .
Edit

National Day parade to be held at President House

Dawn 10 Mar 2025
ISLAMABAD ... At the same time aerial display by the Pakistan Air Force too will be at a smaller scale ... The day’s celebrations begins with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in the provincial capitals ... .
×