Ask the Times

By TIMES WIRES
Published March 13, 2007

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What do 21-gun, 17-gun and other salutes mean? Other than the president, who gets this honor?

The salutes honor distinguished people or mark special occasions. The national salute of 21 guns is fired for a national flag, the leader of a foreign nation or a member of a reigning royal family or the president, former president or president-elect of the United States. Salutes of five to 17 shots are fired for people of lesser rank. Saluting with cannon fire originated in the 14th century, when a ship entering a friendly port discharged its cannons to demonstrate that they were unloaded.

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