When did the first unofficial and official salutes by another nation to the colors of the United States occur?

Verbonica

Unofficial? On November 16, 1776, the American warship, Andrew Doria, saluted a Dutch fort in the West Indies and was saluted in return. This brought a measure of international recognition to the United Colonies. Official? A flag with thirteen stars and thirteen stripes received its first salute from another country on February 14, 1778, when French vessels in Quiberon Bay, France, saluted John Paul Jones and his ship, "The Ranger." http://www.usflags.com/index.asp?theTree=U.S.+Flag+History;Main+Content Jun 15 09, 9:29 PM

Datsmeharse

An official US Navy historical site says the unofficial one was a bit earlier. Barbara Tuchman says the unofficial one was the one you said. If you wish, they can fight it out. She's pretty wiry though so I wouldn't bet against her. I'd prefer her one to be the first because it's kind of funny that the commander of the fort in St Eustatius where the Andrew Doria was pulling in had no idea what flag he was looking at, but figured what the heck he'd better salute it. The official one you said is the one the Navy says is the first official one, so thankfully there will be no bloodshed over that one. Jun 15 09, 10:05 PM