# Why 21-Guns in a Salute?  Why Not 20?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-21-guns-in-a-salute-why-not-20/249639>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 10, 2004, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-21-guns-in-a-salute-why-not-20/249639 "2004-06-10T14:33:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2004, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-21-guns-in-a-salute-why-not-20/249639/1 "2004-06-10T14:33:16Z")

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What is the origin and significance of a 21-gun salute? Here, in DC, there will be a 21-gun salute on Friday in memory of RWR. Why 21? Maybe it stems from the guy who invented Black Jack? 😉

- Jinx

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**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2004, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-21-guns-in-a-salute-why-not-20/249639/2 "2004-06-10T15:27:23Z")

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[http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/m21gun.html](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/m21gun.html)

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**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2004, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-21-guns-in-a-salute-why-not-20/249639/3 "2004-06-11T15:25:14Z")

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My wife just asked me this question. I knew the dope would come through. Thanks