We’ve got a whistlestop tour of the history of Singapore lined up to remind us just why we're celebrating National Day…
On 9 August, the whole of Singapore flies into celebratory mode. We’re eagerly singing the latest National Day song, and we’ve fished out our flags to hang on gates or off of balconies. We love the fireworks and treating the fam to a National Day dinner out, not to mention the National Day parade. But what is National Day really about? Here, we uncover Singapore’s past to figure out the story behind all that red and white. HoneyKids presents the history of Singapore – a condensed version!
The history of Singapore
It’s hard to believe, but Singapore’s pretty streets and buildings didn’t always exist. Back in the third century, this Garden City was just a swampy island known only as “pu luo chung” or “island at the end of a peninsula”, and later as Temasek (Sea Town). It was only in the 14th century when Prince Sang Nila Utama of Palembang (Indonesia) decided to head out for a short island getaway and ended up on our little island. The Prince did a spot of local wildlife-watching and discovered a strange animal that impressed him enough to name the island after it: Singapura (Lion City). The jury’s out on whether it was actually a lion since lions are not native to Singapore. But Prince Utama had just escaped a storm, so we’re letting it slide. In fact, it was most likely a Malayan tiger! Just think, we could have ended up as ‘Harimaupura’ if he had had his animal-spotting guide with him.
Later, in the 19th century, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles dropped in while looking for a new seaport. And after signing a few treaties, he turned Singapore into a trading hub. Trade flourished until World War II rolled around, and the Japanese attacked on 8 December 1941. The Allied Forces surrendered on Chinese New Year in 1942, and Singapore was briefly named Syonan-to (“Light of the South” Island) until the end of the war in 1945.
After the war, the British returned to power and continued ruling through a period of turbulent social and political unrest. A measure of self-government, if you will. Then later, in 1959, Singapore elected the People’s Action Party (PAP) with Lee Kuan Yew at the helm but only declared full independence from Britain in 1963.
Shortly after, Singapore became part of Malaysia when it merged with the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak. Due to political conflict and escalating racial violence, Singapore was voted out of the merger with Malaysia. And so, on 9 August 1965, we became an independent nation. Cue the fireworks.
Celebrating all our cultures
Singapore’s prime location as a trade port means the island is a perfect pit stop for travellers… even today. During Raffles’ time, he set up the Raffles Town Plan to separate the different immigrants by race. European/Eurasians, Chinese, Indians, and Muslims were to live in European Town, Chinatown, Chulia Kampong, and Kampong Glam, respectively. You can still see traces of these districts today and uncover plenty more of Singapore’s multicultural history through its road signs. Just hop on a bus and take a little trip around Singapore town!
Our Singapore flag
Sedia! Attention! Any student who attends local school is sure to be familiar with the Singapore flag. The national anthem, pledge and the raising of Singapore’s flag make up the bulk of every morning assembly. And, any girl guide or boy scout worth their weight in badges knows just what each colour and symbol means (red for universal brotherhood and equality of man; white for purity and virtue). The crescent moon represents a young nation on the rise. And the stars represent democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. Senang diri! At ease!
Looking to the future
For 59 years now, Singapore has taken a month out of its calendar year to celebrate multiculturalism, peace and prosperity with plenty of funky fusion food, flags and fireworks… even during a pandemic. It’s no secret how much the whole of the HoneyKids team – and we’re a multicultural bunch – loves this sunny little island: what’s not to adore about its abundance of green spaces and its kid-friendly infrastructure? Now that we’re in a period of relative peace and quiet, we’re raising our flags high for the fireworks.
Majulah Singapura!