The National Day Parade (NDP) is an annual celebration of Singapore's independence. It is also a platform for Singaporeans from all walks of life to come together to celebrate the nation's milestones and achievements while rallying ourselves in preparation for the future. This article traces the many first and highlights of NDPs over the 50 years to 2016.

What’s the one song that every Singaporean knows? You’re probably right if you had guessed Majulah Singapura, our National Anthem. And its composer is none other than Zubir Said, or more affectionately known as Pak Zubir.

Does it always rain on our parade? Find out more about Singapore’s National Day Parades across the years.

Yusof Ishak is the first President of Singapore. He tided the republic over a period of uncertainty following the separation with Malaysia in 1965. His values and beliefs in meritocracy, multiculturalism and modernisation underpinned Singapore’s success through the nation-building years and left a lasting legacy with the nation.

The old National Stadium, or the Grand Old Dame of Kallang, as it was affectionately called, was a site that brought and saw Singaporeans from all walks of life gather in unity to cheer their hearts out. It was a place where students proudly bore their school colours, where local heroes were born and where national records were broken.

Best known to most Singaporeans as the second President of Singapore, Dr. Benjamin Henry Sheares was a well-loved and respected man whose early career in the field of medicine saw him achieve numerous breakthroughs including the internationally recognised technique of the lower Caesarian section.