Show 21 gun salute has origin in mystical significance originally warships fired a salute of seven guns the number seven being selected because of its mystical significance from antiquity although the salute at sea was seven guns shore batteries were allowed to fire three guns to the ships one the reason for or this was that sodium nitrate was largely used in the manufacture of powder this was easily spoiled at sea but could be very readily kept on land the multiplier three was selected probably because of its symbolism with the development of the manufacture of powder the number of guns cpr the international naval salute was made to correspond with that of the land forces on august 18 1875 a resolution adopted by the united states provided salutes be returned gun for gun at this time the british salute was already 21 guns therefore this number was accept ed by the united states |