First call

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This article is about the bugle call. For the Christian music group, see First Call.

"First Call" is a bugle call with three distinct meanings.

U.S. military use[]

At a U.S. military installation it is a pre-reveille "courtesy" signal, sounded around 05:50, originally to assemble the trumpeters to deliver the reveille that would be forthcoming at 06:00. Some locations also sound it a few minutes before "Retreat" (lowering the flag at the end of the day). In other military contexts it may be used (e.g. 5 minutes) prior to sounding "Assembly" for any particular formation.

Navy use[]

On ships of the U.S. Navy, "First Call" is sounded at 0755, five minutes ahead of "Morning Colors" (raising the national ensign), and 5 minutes before "Evening Colors" (lowering the national ensign). In the absence of a bugle, the word is passed, "First call, first call to colors." The same ceremony takes place on shore establishments but not on ships underway.[1]

Horse racing[]

At a horse race, it is a signal that all mounts should be at the paddock exit in order to proceed to the track to begin the post parade. It started to be used at horse races earlier than 1860s.[2] The tune is usually sounded by a bugler five to ten minutes before the scheduled start time of the race. The call serves a similar purpose in dog racing. In betting, it is the signal for no more bets any bet placed after the bugle is called is considered a late bet and you can be disqualified or even thrown out of the race track or the casino. When "First call" is used for this purpose, it is usually referred to the "Call to the Post".[3]


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References[]

  1. ^ "Naval traditions about flags". Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  2. ^ Ellis, Laura. "Curious Derby: What's The Origin Of The Call To The Post?".
  3. ^ "A Last Hurrah for Hollywood Park". The New York Times. 15 December 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2016.

External multimedia[]

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