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50 Years and Counting: Tracing the History of the National Day Parade

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.

Zubir Said in an interview in 1957

Zubir Said

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.

The grey-haired man and the girl with the red headband are shown reading the newspaper. It is spread so that it covers the bottom halves of both their faces. The words on the newspaper read “THE STRAITS TIMES” in the first line, and below that, an image of six grey triangles and lines following them (jets with air trails), is set within a red rectangle with a white crescent and five stars on the top right of the image. There is text next to it: “BRINGING NDP 2020 TO SINGAPOREANS”. Above the girl’s head is a speech bubble with the words “THIS YEAR’S NDP IS SO DIFFERENT!” This speech bubble is encapsulated within an even bigger speech bubble with the words “THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME NDP WILL BE AT MANY DIFFERENT PLACES AT ONCE! WE HAD SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN THE 70S AND 80S.” Below that line are four bubbles in brown. The first bubble, on the top right, reads “1975”. Directly below that is an image of a figure in uniform (white long-sleeved shirt with a sash and black belt, dark brown trousers) holding a white sword pointing down in his left hand, and a brown flag with a circular image in the middle of it in his other hand, with his elbow sticking out. This image is marked “HAIG ROAD”. To the left of the image is “TOA PAYOH STADIUM” with an image of stepped seats filled with spectators. The left-most and last image is “MAXWELL ROAD” showing about fifteen figures in white shirts and brown pants, holding out small, brown, square flags pointing downwards with both hands, in a performance of sorts.

1: A March in August

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

Yusof Ishak giving a speech in 1962

Yusof Ishak

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.

Singapore Youth Festival Opening Ceremony 1988

Kallang's Grand Old Dame

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.

Padang Facing CBD

The Padang

The Padang (‘field’ in Malay) is one of the oldest open spaces in Singapore and part of the area reserved for government use after the establishment of the British settlement in 1819.

Benjamin Sheares at the 1972 National Day Parade

Benjamin Sheares

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.