Salutes

Categories / Population/Urban Living
Categories / Army. Navy/Military Ceremonies, Life, and Service
SALUTES (from lat. salut – greeting), an old manner of greeting (flag salute, artillery salute etc.). Salutes were introduced in the early 18th century by Tsar Peter the Great as a ceremonial ritual at festivities (it was not uncommon that salutes were accompanied by fireworks). In the 18-20th centuries salutes became an integral part of celebrations or funerals. After 1917 salutes became a rare occurrence in Petrograd (Leningrad). The first triumphal salute accompanied by a firework was fired on 27 January 1944 in honour of raising the blockade. After the Great Patriotic War festive salutes became traditional.

Reference: Келлер Е. Э. Праздничная культура Петербурга: Очерки истории. СПб., 2001. С. 126-149, 154-199.

Y. N. Kruzhnov Peter I, Emperor
Келлер Е. Э. Праздничная культура Петербурга: Очерки истории. СПб., 2001 1814