Winston
Lorenzo von Matterhorn
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2009
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Wow, very impressive. Too bad this video wasn't available on Memorial Day. The cover frame of the video claims "weird traditions", but nothing is "weird" nor do they make that comment anywhere in the video.
Not covered: where the 21 steps, 21 seconds, 21 gun salute, etc., originated:
https://history.army.mil/html/faq/salute.html
The tradition of rendering a salute by cannon originated in the 14th century as firearms and cannons came into use. Since these early devices contained only one projectile, discharging them once rendered them ineffective. Originally warships fired seven-gun salutes--the number seven probably selected because of its astrological and Biblical significance. Seven planets had been identified and the phases of the moon changed every seven days. The Bible states that God rested on the seventh day after Creation, that every seventh year was sabbatical and that the seven times seventh year ushered in the Jubilee year.
Land batteries, having a greater supply of gunpowder, were able to fire three guns for every shot fired afloat, hence the salute by shore batteries was 21 guns. The multiple of three probably was chosen because of the mystical significance of the number three in many ancient civilizations. Early gunpowder, composed mainly of sodium nitrate, spoiled easily at sea, but could be kept cooler and drier in land magazines. When potassium nitrate improved the quality of gunpowder, ships at sea adopted the salute of 21 guns.
How do They Decide Who Gets to Guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
2 Jun 2018
[video=youtube;J79-dpcj9AE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J79-dpcj9AE[/video]
Not covered: where the 21 steps, 21 seconds, 21 gun salute, etc., originated:
https://history.army.mil/html/faq/salute.html
The tradition of rendering a salute by cannon originated in the 14th century as firearms and cannons came into use. Since these early devices contained only one projectile, discharging them once rendered them ineffective. Originally warships fired seven-gun salutes--the number seven probably selected because of its astrological and Biblical significance. Seven planets had been identified and the phases of the moon changed every seven days. The Bible states that God rested on the seventh day after Creation, that every seventh year was sabbatical and that the seven times seventh year ushered in the Jubilee year.
Land batteries, having a greater supply of gunpowder, were able to fire three guns for every shot fired afloat, hence the salute by shore batteries was 21 guns. The multiple of three probably was chosen because of the mystical significance of the number three in many ancient civilizations. Early gunpowder, composed mainly of sodium nitrate, spoiled easily at sea, but could be kept cooler and drier in land magazines. When potassium nitrate improved the quality of gunpowder, ships at sea adopted the salute of 21 guns.
How do They Decide Who Gets to Guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
2 Jun 2018
[video=youtube;J79-dpcj9AE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J79-dpcj9AE[/video]