The First Salute
The Andrew Doria receives the First Salute | |
| Date | November 16, 1776 |
|---|---|
| Location | Fort Oranje, Sint Eustatius |
| Coordinates | 17°28′55″N 62°59′12″W / 17.48194°N 62.98667°W |
| Type | gun salute |
| Theme | Recognition of American independence |
| Cause | United States Declaration of Independence |
The First Salute is the cannon salute fired on 16 November 1776 at Sint Eustatius from Fort Orange in response to the salute of the American ship Andrew Doria. A few months after the United States Declaration of Independence, this marked the first recognition of the United States by a foreign power. The event was followed by the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War and capture of Sint Eustatius.