A little brief history about Singapore...

In the 13th century, Sang Nila Utama, a prince of Palembang was interested in the then Singapore, named Temasek which refers to "sea town" as Singapore was a fishing village. On his way here, he encountered a great sea storm. He and his men threw all heavy things off board but the ship kept sinking. It was not until Sang Nila Utama threw his crown then the ship stop sinking and even the storm stopped!

They arrived Temasek safely and Sang Nila Utama saw a strange fine-looking animal with great speed and asked one of his minister what was it. He was told that it was a lion. Sang Nila Utama then believed it was a good omen, therefore naming the island "Singapura". "Singa" refers to lion whereas "pura" means city, thus the name of lion city.

In 1819, an Englishman Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles founded Singapore and made her a British port. Singapore then became an important port due to being the center for the India- china trade Southeast Asia. Singapore was under the British colonial rule.

During World War II, Singapore was conquered by the Japanese from 1942 till 1945. After the two major atomic bombing in the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, the war ended and Singapore was back to under British control. Increasing levels of self-government was being granted.

In 1963, Singapore merged with Malaysia as so that both countries could help each other. However, many disputes occurred between both countries, therefore the expulsion of Singapore from Malaysia.

Then, Singapore gained independence on 9th August 1965.

The National Flag

The national flag was officially adopted as Singapore's National flag upon independence in 9th August 1965.

Initially, the flag was to be in complete red, however, as the red was seen a rallying point of communism, the idea was dropped. As the chinese wanted 5 stars and the Muslims wanted a crescent moon, both symbols were combined. The flag was to be seen as a symbolic of self-respect.

Meaning of the elemets of the flag:

Red - Symbolizes "Universal brotherhood and equality of man"

White - Symbolizes " Pervading and everlasting purity and virtue"

Crescent - Symbolizes " A young nation on ascendant"

5 stars - " Democracy, Peace, Progress, Equality, Justice"

The National Anthem

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

The anthem was composed by Zubir Said in 1958. However, it was used only for official functions of the City Council of Singapore. When Singapore attained independence on 1965, "Majulah Singapura" (Onwards Singapore) was officially the national anthem.

Zubir Said faced a lot of difficulties as he had to create an understandable and uncomplicated anthem for all the different races in Singapore. In a 1984 oral history interview, Zubir Said recalled the process...

" The difficulty is in such a short melody, i have to put in all the words...It must be very simple, understandable for all the races in Singapore... I consult an author in Malay Language so that i can do proper Malay language but not too deep and not too difficult."

In 1959, when Singapore attained self-government, the government felt a need for a national anthem to unite the different race in Singapore. Then, "Majulah Singapura" was chosen as it was already popular at that time. The Deputy Prime Minister Toh Chin Chye requested a modification for the lyrics and melody.It took Zubir Said 6 weeks to re-adapt the melody.


The national anthem was formally introduced to the nation on 3rd December 1959 when Yusof Bin Ishak, a well known journalist and founder of Malay Newspaper "Utasan Melayu" was appointed as the head of state .

National Anthem

The National Pledge

The pledge was written by one of the founding fathers of Signapore, Sir Sinnathamby Rajaratnam in 1966. As Singapore was a multi-racial country, Sir S Rajaratnam believed that the language, race and religion were individual factors, however, the pledge emphasises that all these individual differences can be overcomed if the people cared enough for the country.

The pledge is...

We, the citizens of Singapore,
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion.
to build a democratic society,
based on justice and quality
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress
for our nation.

The National Flower

Singapore's National Flower is an orchid named, Vanda Miss Joaquim which is named after a lady called Agnes Joaquim. Her family were all keen in horticulture (the cultivation of plants and vegetations).

As a passionate gardener, she'd won several awards for her flowers and plants. In April 1899, when she displayed a unique orchid found in her garden 3 years ago, she won the first place as it was the rarest orchid seen among all. However, Miss Agnes Joaquim passed away due to illness and did not see how the orchid spread throughouts the tropics became popular in Hawaii.

In 1981, Vanda Miss Joaquim was chosen as Singapore's National Flower.

Coats Of Arms Of Singapore

When Singapore achieved its rights of self-governance in 1959,the then Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew said that Singapore needed a state coat of arms to symbolise a new state.

Before self governance took place,the coat of arms used by Singapore was the coat of arms of United Kingdom (UK).To create the state symbols,a committee was formed which was led by the Deputy Prime Minister,Mr Toh Chin Chye.Mr Toh wanted the crest to represent the multi-ethnic society of the country.


The central emblem of the coats of arms represent a red shield with five white stars above a young and white cresent.The tiger then represents the bond and historical connections with Malaysia and the lion represents Singapore.

Fort Canning Park

Fort Canning Park is one of the historical places in Singapore that had been through the history.Malay and Chinese historical records had stated the hill as the centre of kingdom that rose around AD1300.It was stated that the royal palace of the ancient rulers had probably stood there,which is once a "Forbidden Hill".The Fort was named in 1861 in the honour of Viscount Charles John Canning,the First Viceroy of India.From then onwards,it was used as a military base,first by the British,next by the Japanese during World War II and lastly by the Republic's Armed Forces.

The National Museum of Singapore

The National Museum of Singapore, a cultural icon of the nation located at the heart of the city. It is Singapore's oldest museum, with a long history dating back. In 1984, it was established as the Singapore Institution Committee. It was not named as National Museum Of Singapore but instead named as Raffles Library and Museum.

The National Museum was officially opened on 12 October 1887, which also marked the golden Jubilee years of Queen Victoria. As Singapore was still under British rule, the country celebrated her birthday by making the official opening on Queen Victoria's birthdate. The building was opened by Governor Sir Frederick Weld.

The Building restored during the Silver Jubilee Year of Singapore's Independence was reopened by Mr Goh Chok Tong. First Deputy Prime Minister. 16 November 1990."

The board says " This building was reopened after a three-year development on its 119th year by His Excellency President S R Nathan on 7th December 2006."

The tablet says "Designed by H E McCallun and Major J F McNair. Built in 1886-1887. It housed Singapore's first museum and library, the Raffles Library and Museum. It was renamed the National Museum in 1960."

The museum features a lot of artefacts based on history and arts of Sin

gapore that brings out the beauty of Singapore in the past.

In 1993, the National Museum became a part of the National Heritage Board in Singapore.

#Did you know... At the main entrance hall of the National Museum, if you look up, you will see 50 Victorian patterned stained-glass panels on the Rotunda Dome. The 50 glass panels was actually made to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee years.

For more informations on the history of The National Museum of Singapore, you can visit http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/nms/nms_html/nms_content_3.asp?cat=Our_history .

Merlion

The Merlion was an imaginary creature which has a head of a lion and a body of a fish.It is a mascot of Singapore.The fish body comes from Singapore's old name back when it was a fishing village,Temasek,which means sea town.The lion head then represents Singapura,a lion city.It is now a logo of Singapore Tourism Board(STB).

Peranakan Museum

The Peranakan Museum is a museum in Singapore which specialises in Peranakan culture.On 1st January 2006,the museum was closed for major revamp.At its closure,the management chose the peranakan culture theme over children's museum and Chinese ceramic museum.This makes the museum to be able to house Peranakan artefacts and wares.It also include plans for Peranakan themed

eateries and shops.

Kampong Glam

The area's name is derived from two words.Kampong means settlement or village and Glam or Gelam then refers to a type of plant,eucalyptus which grew in that area in the past.In 1819,Kampong Galm was home to the Malays in Singapore.Under the Raffles Plan of 1822,Kampong Glam was designated for the Sultan and his family,the malay communities and merchants from the Arab.

In the early 20th century,economical activities expanded in that area as new shophouses were built there.Since the 1980s,it was declared as a national heritage site and have been protected for conservation.Some of the conserved sites include the Sultan Mosque,the Hajjah Fatimah Mosque and the Istana Kampong Glam which is the palace of the former Sultan.

For more information,please visit the site at:http://www.singapore-vacation-attractions.com/kampong-glam.html

Little India

Little India is an area which the majority of ethnic Tamils reside in.Its location along the Serangoon originally made it attractive for raising cattle, and trade in livestock was once prominent in the area.Little India was said to be blessed with good grassland and water,thus attracted many Tamils to this area.In 1990,a distinctive Indian community was formed.

Eventually, other economic activities developed,and in the 20th century, the area began to look like a Tamil ethnic neighbourhood.For cultural heritage,many of the commercial usages are still concentrated in Little India.

For more information,please visit the site at:http://www.etour-singapore.com/little-india.html

Chinatown

Under Sir Stamford Raffles' Plan,the area was originally a division where Chinese Immigrants stay in.As Singapore gradually grew into a modern society,Chinese immigrants began to settle into other parts of the island.Chinatown has been overcrowded since the founding of Singapore in 1819.Different dialects were categorised into residing in different roads.The area signifies the history of the Chinese.

Surprisingly, in the Chinese community,is the most important temple for Indians, the Sri Mariamman Hindu Tamil Temple, and the mosques, Al-Abrar Mosque at Telok Ayer Street and Jamae Mosque at Mosque Street, as well as the Fukien Thien Hock Keng Temple of 1830 to 1842.



For those who are interested in Singapore’s Chinese culture and history, Chinatown is a good place to start as it has a mixture of heritage and shopping together.

For more information,you can visit this website at:http://www.chinatownology.com/singapore.html

Thian Hock Keng Temple

The construction of the temple was completed in 1842. There was no sparing in expenses. Thian Hock Keng is considered the oldest and most important Fukien and Hokien temple in Singapore.

In 1819, after the British built a trading port in Singapore, early Chinese immigrants started to cross the dangerous South China Sea to come to Singapore. Then, in 1821 - 1822 a joss house was built to allow the immigrants to pray and thank the Goddess Mazu (the goddess of the sea) for their safe arrival and voyage.

The temple was then built on the site from 1839 - 1842.

For more information, you can visit

http://www.thianhockkeng.com.sg/aboutus.html

St. Andrew's Cathedral

In 1823,Sir Stamford Raffles selected a good site for the Anglican Church which is near the Padang.As a result,the area surrounding the site which was occupied by the Europeans had to be cleared for the construction of the church.The foundation was laid on 9th November 1835.The church was built by George Drumgoole Coleman.It was strike twice by the lightning.

In 1942,during the Japanese invasion of Singapore,the Cathedral's nave was converted into a casualty station to care for the wounded and when all hospitals were overcrowded with the casualties by the constant bombing and artillery fire by the Japanese invaders. The Nave's floor was blood-stained and in the yard were bombed out military vehicles.

#Interesting Facts:Coating of the interior walls and pillars with a composition made from shell lime.The walls and pillars after a period of drying were rubbed with rock crystals or rounded stones,leaving a remarkably smooth and glossy surface.

St. Andrew's Cathedral will continue to be a national monument as it has been throughout its history.

Sri Mariamman Temple

Located at the heart of Chinatown,the temple has been a landmark to generations of Hindus worshippers.The building of the temple was an inspiration of Mr Naraina Pillai.In 1827,a temple structure of wood and attap was formed and built at South Bridge Road.A small deity of Mother Goddess"Sinna Amman"was installed by Mr Pillai when the temple was built.

#Interesting Fact:This deity still has its divinity in the main sanctum of the present-day temple.

Now,there are improvements made such as addition of a new viewing gallery and the construction of a three-storey complex complete with elaborate facade,spacious interior and technologically superior facilities.

Asian Civilizations Museum (Empress place building)

The Asian Civilisation Museum is a museum which specialises in the history of China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and the West Asia. It first opened at Armenian Street in the central business district area in 1997. Then opened in the Empress Place Building in 2003.

The original building was much more smaller than the present one, it was designed byJFA McNairin the mid 1860s. It was actually the office of the Colonial Secretary.The building was then re-named as the Empress Place Building in the honor of Queen Victoria. The museum was the place for the Citizen's Registry, Immigration Department and Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

For more informations, you can visit http://www.acm.org.sg/home/home.asp

The Singapore River

The Singapore River is 11 metres starting from Kim Seng Bridge. Initially, the city of Singapore grew around the port therefore, the river mouth, which as the old port of Singapore became the centre of trade, commence and finance.

This is the place where the early people lived. The Chinese and Indians on the South bank, whereas the Malays in Kampongs at the further upstream of the river and the Indian. The temples and other places of worships still remains near the river.

In the 1880s, there was swift urbanization and expanding trade, these brought water pollution to the river caused by the litterings of rubbish, sewage and other pollutants such as oil spills and waste water from and boats and nearby industries.

It was then in 1977, the then Prime minister Lee Kuan Yew set a goal of cleaning the river in the next 10 years. Actions of cleaning of the river were made and indeed, 10 years later, the project of cleaning the river was a huge success.

Others

DHOBY GHAUT

In 1920s, many washermen from India came to Singapore to work for money by washing clothes, therefore, the name of Dhoby Ghaut( the place to wash clothings in hindi) was given.

HAW PAR VILLA

The place was built in 1937 by brothers Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par who are the developers of the Tiger Balm (a heat rub). It was oricinally called as the "Tiger Balm Gardens", but renamed and reopened as "Haw Par Villa" in 1985. The park contains scenes depicted from old chinese folklores, legends and histories.

Entertainment Centre

The famous Entertainment centre that everybody went in the past were Gay World(Happy World),New World and Great World.Gay World was a popular entertainment centre before the advent of television and shopping malls.It combined a heady mix of eastern and western forms of entertainment including movies,opera,gaming.

Gay World was an sporting arena.It has a indoor stadium called Gay World Indoor Stadium.It was later renamed as Geylang Indoor Stadium.Boxing and wrestling fights attracted crowds to the Gay World Stadium who paid only 20 cents to see famous wrestlers like Tiger Ahmad.The Gay World Stadium occasionally held circus shows.It also consist of four cinemas that became a favourite for courting couples.Lastly,there was also a sport hall that can accommodate 300 couples.

For more information,you can visit the website:http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_1044_2006-06-01.html

Entertainment and More...

Wayang Kulit


Wayang Kulit refers to puppet theatre. It is a special form of theatre using light and shadow only. A white cloth is served as the screen and when the lights on, shadows are casted on the cloth.

A puppet player will sit behind the screen and tells the story while traditional orchestra plays a suitable music in the background.




Motion Picture

The motion pictures were introduced in late 19th century and was well received in North America and Europe. In 1902, silent films arrived in Singapore. When the films became more popular, venues of older forms of entertainment such as Chinese opera and bangsawan (Malay opera) were converted to Cinemas by their owners.


The Shaw Brothers Pte Ltd emerged in 1930s as a dominant player. By 1939, their business had expanded to a chain of 139 cinemas, spreading across Singapore, Malaya and neighbouring regions.



Films from Hollywood were very popular and made up 70% of the films in late 1930s, the rest were British, Chinese and Indian Films.

Story Books

In the 1960s, the newspaper teaches Malay so as to breakdown language barriers between the different races in Singapore. Malay lessons were taught to Chinese and Malay language was emphasised.

Chinese stories will be written into Malay edition whereas Malay stories were written in Chinese editions.

Musics

During the older times where entertainment were limited, runner-ups and winners had the chance to produce music CDs and copies.

Dressings

The dressings were Kebayas. Hibiscus were imprinted on the Kebayas as it was Malaysia's national flower.

Television,Fan and Lamp!!