August 9, 1965, earned its place as a date of historical significance when founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew announced Singapore’s separation from Malaysia. For the first time in 700 years, the tiny island of Singapore became a sovereign state.
A year later, a parade was held at the Padang to commemorate our independence. Since then, the pomp and pageantry of National Day have become a beloved tradition spanning generations.
With National Day around the corner, here’s a look at how the National Day Parade (NDP) has evolved through the years.
1960s: Nation building, one procession at a time
In hindsight, the inaugural NDP was memorable for many. For Singaporeans, it was the first time they found themselves in a celebration that was uniquely theirs, as citizens and not as subjects.
Not everyone shared the same excitement or pride. Alas, Opposition members of parliament of the time, boycotted the first National Day Parade, calling it “phoney independence” and refused to fly our country’s flags at their headquarters.
Regardless, our country marched on, with subsequent NDPs, like our young nation, growing in strength and confidence. The 1968 parade featured our first batch of national servicemen marching proudly through the pouring rain. In 1969, the mobile column, a parade of our military hardware, made its debut.
From the start, the grandeur of the NDP reflected the aspirations of a fledgling nation. And as the seventies rolled around, so too did an evolution of the NDP.
1970s – 80s: Growth and Transformation
Throughout the 1970s, Singapore experienced rapid industrialisation and economic growth. It was a time of optimism for a young nation that nobody thought could make it. The NDPs of this period reflected just that, as organisers introduced plenty of innovations, shaping it into what we come to know and love today.
There was the first state flag flypast in 1970, which literally took the NDP up a notch and into the skies. In 1971, various organisations began deploying the now iconic mobile floats. By 1974, the event was broadcast in colour. Singaporeans could now enjoy the vibrancy of the parade in the comforts of their homes.
Two years later, in 1976, the NDP was held at the National Stadium for the first time. The new venue had a capacity of 60,000, which allowed more Singaporeans to join in the celebrations.
Celebrations in the 80s outdid those that came before, with even more striking and dramatic action.
Besides the usual fireworks, laser beams and lights created an atmosphere resembling a rock concert. It was also the decade that gave birth to the National Day songs (1984), card stunts of complex mosaics (1988) and what is now known as the Red Lions parachute team (1989), which remains a perennial favourite.
1990s: Innovation and Engagement
In 1990, Singapore reached a milestone. The 25-year-old republic has defied all odds to become a success story and one of the world’s most prosperous nations.
Back at the Padang, Singaporeans gathered to sing the now-evergreen tune One People, One Nation, One Singapore to mark the silver jubilee.
Like the nation itself, the NDP was relentless in its desire to excite and excel. Surprising elements continued to pop up, drawing more Singaporeans into the festivities.
In 1992, NDP Fun Packs were introduced to encourage audience participation. They were an unparalleled hit. In 1997, Primary Five students were invited to a full-dress rehearsal of the NDP. Dubbed the National Education Show, it continues to be a highlight of a student’s school journey.
And then came the ballad ‘Home’ in 1998. With its evocative lyrics and melody, the song became an instant classic, redefining how patriotism need not always end with a chest-thumping rhythm.
2000s to now: A maturing nation standing tall and strong
As the millennium came and went, so did SARS and the Asian Financial Crisis. Both events rocked Singapore to its core, but we came back stronger than before. The NDPs in the preceding years reflected our tenacity to overcome challenges.
Emerging out of a recession, the 2002 NDP saw 60,000 spectators toasting the nation’s birthday with bottles of NEWater, a testament to our ingenuity.
In 2007, the NDP shifted to a new location – the Marina Bay floating platform. The prominent skyline provided the perfect canvas for the spectacular fireworks. It was also a reminder of our struggles and progress over the past 40 years.
The big bang of all parades was reserved for our Golden Jubilee in 2015. But as we know, SG50 turned out to be a poignant affair.
The death of founding father Lee Kuan Yew earlier in the year left a gaping void in our hearts. Mr Lee would have been proud that his vision of ‘one people’ and ‘one nation’ remains strong and celebrated wholeheartedly in a kaleidoscope of colours.
In 2020, COVID-19 ground the world to a halt. The NDP was scaled down, with many parade segments moved online and into the heartlands. But not for long.
By 2022, the full-scale parade was back on. To many of us, this was not just a birthday celebration but a celebration of the triumph and resilience of our Singapore spirit.
For 59 years, Singapore has gone through plenty of ups and downs. And if we can continue to strengthen our bonds as one united people, our little red dot will live long and prosper.
Here at Petir.sg, we look back with pride at our nation’s stratospheric growth.
Happy Birthday, Singapore!
Photo Source: National Archives/ Yip Hon Weng / Heng Swee Keat/ Tan Kiat How/ Rachel Ong/ Desmond Choo via Facebook/ The Strait Stimes© Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission
