When did the National Day in Singapore start?
About National Day in Singapore Holiday
Singapore National Day is an annual public holiday held every year on August 9 in Singapore, commemorating the nation's independence from Malaysia in 1965. The holiday is celebrated with parades, fireworks, concerts, and other festivities throughout the country. In addition to celebrating independence, the holiday is also used to show patriotism, pride, and solidarity among Singaporean citizens. Popular activities include flag-hoisting ceremonies, singing of the national anthem, and displays of traditional and contemporary culture. This year’s National Day theme is “Our Singapore” and is set to emphasize the Singaporean spirit and national identity.
The National Day of Singapore
Singapore celebrates its National Day with festivities each August 9th to commemorate the country’s independence. Singapore celebrates National Day each year to remember the country’s history and the nation’s heroes. It is a time of national pride and celebration where Singaporeans come together to celebrate the nation’s struggles to independence and the continued progress of an independent nation.
Historical Context
Singapore was a former British colony and achieved self-governance within the Commonwealth of Nations in 1959. The country was then briefly known as Malaya and Malaysia, before the PAP government declared independence on August 9, 1965. The holiday marks this monumental day in Singapore’s history, the day that the nation finally gained independence from British rule and control.
Early the following year, Singapore joined the Federation of Malaysia and it was then that Singapore’s first Prime Minister and the Father of Nation, Lee Kuan Yew declared the August 9th date as Singapore’s National Day. He extended the celebration from September to August to symbolize the independence of Singapore’s sovereignty and the independence of the Singaporean people. In 1966, National Day was officially declared a public holiday for the nation.
The Celebrations
The National Day celebrations in Singapore encompass a wide variety of cultural activities that symbolize the spirit of the nation. An annual military parade, which is held on the Padang, is the centerpiece of the event. Traditional cultural ceremonies, song and dance performances, as well as a military display of aircrafts, tanks, and personnel, are included in the parade.
The highlight of the celebration is the Parade of Nations, which culminates with the raising of the Singaporean flag. The flag-raising ceremony is usually followed by a fly-past of the Singaporean Air Force, accompanied by a 19-gun salute in honor of the nation.
In addition, Singaporean citizens are encouraged to join in the National Day festivities with special events organized at local schools and community centers. On the day, many of the country’s landmarks are decorated with flags and banners and illuminated with fireworks. Singaporeans often don costumes reflecting their nation’s history in colorful parades and march with vigor in the streets of the nation.
Since Singapore gained its independence, the government has been working towards establishing the country as a major player in the world economy and politics. To that end, the government has placed a strong emphasis on National Day celebrations, encouraging Singaporeans to forge a strong sense of national pride and identity.
The Singapore government has also put a great amount of effort into curating a unique display of the nation’s history and culture through its National Day celebration. This, in conjunction with the abundance of events and activities throughout the holiday, has encouraged a unique appreciation of Singapore’s national identity.
Conclusion
The National Day of Singapore is a cherished holiday that tells the story of a nation that has gone from being a British colony to an independent and prosperous nation. With its vibrant culture and colorful celebrations, Singapore pays tribute to the struggles it has gone through to gain its independence with great enthusiasm and pride.
Singapore’s National Day also serves to remind Singaporeans of their commitment to their country. As citizens of a vibrant, modern nation, Singaporeans come together to celebrate their achievements and to remain proud of their nation, while recognizing the importance of continuing to strive for a better future.
How to Say "National Day in Singapore" In Different Languages?
- Chinese
- 国庆节 (zh-CN)
- Czech
- Den národ (cs-CZ)
- French
- Jour de la Nation (fr-FR)
- German
- Nationalfeiertag (de-DE)
- Greek
- Εθνική Ημέρα (el-GR)
- Hindi
- राष्ट्रीय दिवस (hi-IN)
- Hungarian
- Önkormányzati Nap (hu-HU)
- Indonesian
- Hari Kebangsaan (id-ID)
- Italian
- Giorno della Nazione (it-IT)
- Japanese
- ナショナルデー (ja-JP)
- Korean
- 국가대표일 (ko-KR)
- Polish
- Dzień Narodowy (pl-PL)
- Portuguese
- Dia Nacional (pt-PT)
- Russian
- День нации (ru-RU)
- Spanish
- Día Nacional (es-ES)
- Thai
- วันชาติ (th-TH)
- Turkish
- Ulusal Gün (tr-TR)
- Ukrainian
- Державний день (uk-UA)
- Vietnamese
- Ngày Quốc khánh (vi-VN)
National Day in Singapore Also Called
National Day of Singapore, or the Singaporean National Day, is an annual observance on August 9, Singapore’s independence day. It is a day of celebration for all Singaporeans as the nation remembers its independence from Malaysia.
FUN FACT:
In year 1965, National Day in Singapore is celebrated on August 9 for the first time.HOLIDAY CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, please click here to contact us!