When Were Cannons First Used In Warfare?

Cannon

The first guns were cannons.  They were first used in warfare some time in the first half of the 14^th century.

The big guns that are now known as artillery were once called cannons.  “Cannon” comes from an old Latin word meaning “tube” or “reed.”

The cannon first appeared in Europe during the 1300s, after the knowledge of gunpowder spread.

These early guns were very primitive.  They were simply big iron tubes closed at one end.

In the back end was a small hole called a touchhole.  To fire the cannon, gunpowder was stuffed down the barrel.   Then a rock of iron ball, called a cannonball, was put in front of the powder.

A lighted match or torch was stuck through the touchhole to make the powder explode.

The early cannon was too crude to have much value in the battlefield.  For one thing, it look a long time to load it.  Besides, it was too heavy to move easily and it was difficult to aim—but it could destroy gates and walls of fortresses if it scored a direct hit.–Dick Rogers

What Is The Meaning Of A 21-gun Salute?

Gun salutes are often used to mark special occasions.

Gun or cannon salutes sometimes honor distinguished persons or mark special occasions.  This custom began long ago, when guns and cannons were loaded by hand.

Upon the approach of a friendly ship, all the guns of the fort or ship were fired as a token of disarming them, for early guns could not be speedily reloaded.

Modern salutes are fired with blank charges.

21 Gun Salute

The number of shots is determined by the rank of the person being honored.  A 21-gun salute is fired for heads of governments, member of a royal family and others of similar rank.

19 guns are fired for officers above the rank of admiral or general, state governors and ambassadors.

Salutes of 17, 15, 13, 11, 7 and 5 guns are fired for lesser ranks.  Firing an odd number of shots is believed to come from an old naval superstition that an even number of shots is unlucky or causes misfortune.–Dick Rogers