History of the American military hand salute

[jamiejcfree]

What is the orgin of the American military hand salute? There is stories that it originated from antient Rome when subjects had to show their right hand when approaching officials to show that they were unarmed and that if even began as knights held the reigns of their horses with their left hand and raised their visors with their right, signifying that they were comrads...please give me as much info as you can thanks, Jamie

[Quizmonster]

Any absolute certainty about the answer is lost in the mists of time. However, it is generally believed that the salute came from a gesture designed to show that you were friendly. Holding an empty hand aloft made it clear to someone who wasn't sure if you were friend or foe that you were not holding a weapon. Similarly, if a knight in armour put his hand up and raised his helmet's visor, he was a) making his identity clear by revealing his face...b) opening himself to attack and c) as before, revealing an empty, unarmed hand. Basically, it was a gesture of friendship.The palm-down version of the military salute, as used by Americans and the Royal Navy, came about because sailors were trying to hide their filthy, tarry palms from the delicate eyes of their officers!

[choppachilla]

yo jamie what up girl what you look like? can i get some digits