21 Gun Salute Trivia Quiz

Answer: Navy

Warships would empty their cannons upon arrival in a foreign port. This was to signify that the approaching vessel meant no harm.

Answer: Foreign heads of state

The Canadian Minister of Defence receives a 17 gun salute and Lieutenant Governors of the provinces receive a 15 gun salute.

Answer: Israel

Due to the high level of terrorist activity in Israel the 21 gun salute is no longer performed.

Answer: Royal Salute

British tradition demands that a 21 gun salute be performed for royalty and the name "Royal Salute" was adopted.

Answer: Great Britain

By the 18th century, the 21-gun salute was a common and formalized ceremony within the Royal Navy of Great Britain.

Read more: What Is a 21 Gun Salute? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_6877975_21-gun-salute_.html#ixzz1VVDEpIfx

Answer: 1875

The 21-gun salute became the highest honor a nation rendered. Varying customs among the maritime powers led to confusion in saluting and return of salutes. Great Britain, the world's pre-eminent seapower in the 18th and 19th centuries, compelled weaker nations to salute first, and for a time monarchies received more guns than republics. Eventually, by agreement, the international salute was established at 21 guns, although the United States did not agree on this procedure until August 1875.

Answer: A member of a visiting reigning royal family

According to the Naval Historical Center website, in the United States a 21-gun salute is rendered to honor the "the national flag, the sovereign or chief of state of a foreign nation, a member of a reigning royal family, the President, ex-president, and president-elect of the United States. It is also fired at noon of the day of a funeral of a president, ex-president, or president-elect, on Washington's Birthday, Presidents Day, and the Fourth of July. On Memorial Day, a salute of 21 minute guns is fired at noon while the flag is flown at half mast."



Read more: Who Is Eligible for a 21-Gun Salute? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5746352_eligible-21_gun-salute_.html#ixzz1VVHnfdST

Answer: The firing of three volleys meant that the dead had been properly cared for and the side was ready to resume the battle

The three volleys comes from an old battlefield custom. The two warring sides would cease hostilities to clear their dead from the battlefield, and the firing of three volleys meant that the dead had been properly cared for and the side was ready to resume the battle.

Answer: Memorial Day

The 21-gun salute is fired at noon for the following occasions: the funeral of a President, ex-President or a President-elect; President's Day; Independence Day, and Washington's Birthday. Memorial Day is the only time the 21-gun salute is performed with the United States flag at half-staff.

Answer: Middle Ages

While the early history of the 21-gun salute is unclear, historians believe the salute has its roots in the disarming rituals of the Middle Ages, where warriors ceremoniously discharged cannon to demonstrate peaceful intentions. Seven-gun salutes were a tradition of navies throughout history, as superstitious sailors considered seven a lucky and mystical number. Land-based batteries, with their greater ammunition storage developed the practice of returning three rounds for every one naval round, leading to the 21-gun salute. By the 18th century, the 21-gun salute was a common and formalized ceremony within the Royal Navy of Great Britain

Read more: What Is a 21 Gun Salute? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_6877975_21-gun-salute_.html#ixzz1VVEdc2Xw