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Mr Lee Kuan Yew's reading of the Proclamation of Independence kicks off National Day celebrations
Mr Lee Kuan Yew's reading of the Proclamation of Independence kicks off National Day celebrations, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times
SINGAPORE - Singapore heard for the first time a recording of founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew reading the Proclamation of Independence.
The recording, made in 2012, was broadcast at 9am on local radio and TV channels, and marked at 82 grassroots-led National Day observance ceremonies islandwide. Participants at the ceremonies also sang the National Anthem and recited the pledge.
The original reading of the Proclamation over Radio Singapore 50 years ago was made by an announcer.
The Proclamation was read by radio anchor Steven Lee on behalf of Mr Lee, who said in his memoir that he did not announce the Separation because he had "too many other things to do in quick succession".
To make up for this, Mr Lee - the man who had drummed up support for Singapore's merger with Malaysia in the early 1960s, and barely two years later, broke down as he spoke of its expulsion from the federation - agreed in 2012 to a recording of him reading the proclamation.
Singaporeans woke up to a slightly drizzly morning after over-night rain. All across the country, people clad in the national colours of red and white made their way to the 82 grassroots-led ceremonies.
At Temasek Junior College, hundreds gathered for the Great Singapore Workout together with Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say.
At Sembawang, residents took part in a Pioneer Generation run, while in Bedok, residents took part in a march that featured a large Singapore flag. Jurong West Stadium also saw a sea of red-and-white, as did Marine Parade, where some residents came dressed as policemen, postmen and samsui women.
Over in Tanjong Pagar, the ward of the late Mr Lee, residents filed into Lower Delta Road to listen to the recording of the Proclamation.
At Teck Ghee in Ang Mo Kio, the ward of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, flag-waving crowds also gathered, among them pupils of Townsville Primary School. A sing-along saw them singing Home, the all-time favourite National Day song.
Mr Lee joined the residents for the Proclamation moment, and later, for a birthday song and the cutting of an SG50 cake.
From carnivals to march-pasts, each observance ceremony celebrated Singapore's 50th birthday in its own unique way.
Many will also include nostalgic sights, sounds and activities to recreate the mix of anxiety and optimism that marked Singapore's first day as an independent nation 50 years ago.
This year's National Day celebration is the first without Mr Lee, who died in March aged 91.
Singapore marks 50 years since independence
Is Singapore's toverformule uitgewerkt? | NOS (The guys at the NOS got this in turn from BBC)
Singapore has held nationwide events to mark 50 years since it became an independent state.
Tens of thousands of people attended an outdoor parade, watching on as fighter jets whizzed through the sky and a huge convoy rumbled past.
The event culminated with spectators reciting the national pledge and singing the national anthem.
Singapore became independent when it was ejected from the Federation of Malaysia amid social unrest.
In 50 years, the former British colony has transformed itself into one of the world's wealthiest countries.
But its critics say the rapid development has been accompanied by a strict control on free speech and politics.
The city state celebrates its independence day in style every year, but this year's SG50 events were billed as the country's biggest ever celebration, with months of build-up in shops, schools, work places and in the media.
One student, Yang Jie Ling, told Reuters news agency: "It's only 50 years for a small nation like us, so we have achieved so much. It's a year that Singaporeans will want to remember forever."
Singapore declared a four-day weekend for the anniversary.
There were long queues at the crossing points into Malaysia on Thursday and Friday evenings, as thousands of Singaporeans chose to go away for the weekend.
But some 26,000 people packed the Padang in central Singapore, which has been the main venue for independence day celebrations since the first one back in 1966.
The parade this year included a special tribute to Lee Kuan Yew, who led Singapore into independence and was its prime minister until 1990.
The much-respected leader died in March this year, prompting public mourning. Some attendees were seen weeping during tributes to him at the anniversary ceremony.
A recording of him reading the Proclamation of Independence was played on radio and TV at 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT).
Speaking on the eve of the celebrations, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Lee Kuan Yew's son, said: "At 50 years, as we stand at a high base camp, we look back and marvel how far we have come. We are grateful to those who made it happen."
Despite achieving such goals as 90% home ownership and per capita GDP above $56,000 (£36,000), critics continue to point to the strict political controls.
The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) has been in power for more than 50 years and the opposition hopes to make more inroads in elections that could be called in September.
The last election saw the PAP suffer its worst performance, though it still kept 80 of the 87 seats.
It will hope the boost of the anniversary and recognition of the legacy of Lee Kuan Yew will help it at the next election.
Singapore's city centre is a sea of red and white as hundreds of thousands wearing the national colours converged to take part in day-long festivities, from free concerts and military jet flypasts to a huge parade.
"It hasn't been an easy journey. Given all that we've achieved, it really calls for a celebration," said civil servant Joan Yeap, who like many others is picnicking with her family by Marina Bay to see a huge firework display.
As far as origin stories go, Singapore's independence is hardly a triumphant one - with an unceremonious ejection from Malaysia - and Sunday's jubilee festivities have all been about celebrating its improbable journey to success.
Upbeat patriotic songs about Singapore's achievements played on national television and radio. And in the evening the entire nation was invited to sing the national anthem and recite the country's pledge.
In its early years, organisers used it to push social messages such as courtesy and diligence.
These days it's a more sophisticated, glitzier affair, held by the shiny skyscrapers of Marina Bay.
Though the propaganda still gets heavy, Singaporeans love it anyway for its pomp and splendour. Tickets for the parade and its rehearsals run out every year.
Mr Lee Kuan Yew's reading of the Proclamation of Independence kicks off National Day celebrations, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times
SINGAPORE - Singapore heard for the first time a recording of founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew reading the Proclamation of Independence.
The recording, made in 2012, was broadcast at 9am on local radio and TV channels, and marked at 82 grassroots-led National Day observance ceremonies islandwide. Participants at the ceremonies also sang the National Anthem and recited the pledge.
The original reading of the Proclamation over Radio Singapore 50 years ago was made by an announcer.
The Proclamation was read by radio anchor Steven Lee on behalf of Mr Lee, who said in his memoir that he did not announce the Separation because he had "too many other things to do in quick succession".
To make up for this, Mr Lee - the man who had drummed up support for Singapore's merger with Malaysia in the early 1960s, and barely two years later, broke down as he spoke of its expulsion from the federation - agreed in 2012 to a recording of him reading the proclamation.
Singaporeans woke up to a slightly drizzly morning after over-night rain. All across the country, people clad in the national colours of red and white made their way to the 82 grassroots-led ceremonies.
At Temasek Junior College, hundreds gathered for the Great Singapore Workout together with Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say.
At Sembawang, residents took part in a Pioneer Generation run, while in Bedok, residents took part in a march that featured a large Singapore flag. Jurong West Stadium also saw a sea of red-and-white, as did Marine Parade, where some residents came dressed as policemen, postmen and samsui women.
Over in Tanjong Pagar, the ward of the late Mr Lee, residents filed into Lower Delta Road to listen to the recording of the Proclamation.
At Teck Ghee in Ang Mo Kio, the ward of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, flag-waving crowds also gathered, among them pupils of Townsville Primary School. A sing-along saw them singing Home, the all-time favourite National Day song.
Mr Lee joined the residents for the Proclamation moment, and later, for a birthday song and the cutting of an SG50 cake.
From carnivals to march-pasts, each observance ceremony celebrated Singapore's 50th birthday in its own unique way.
Many will also include nostalgic sights, sounds and activities to recreate the mix of anxiety and optimism that marked Singapore's first day as an independent nation 50 years ago.
This year's National Day celebration is the first without Mr Lee, who died in March aged 91.
Singapore marks 50 years since independence
Is Singapore's toverformule uitgewerkt? | NOS (The guys at the NOS got this in turn from BBC)
Singapore has held nationwide events to mark 50 years since it became an independent state.
Tens of thousands of people attended an outdoor parade, watching on as fighter jets whizzed through the sky and a huge convoy rumbled past.
The event culminated with spectators reciting the national pledge and singing the national anthem.
Singapore became independent when it was ejected from the Federation of Malaysia amid social unrest.
In 50 years, the former British colony has transformed itself into one of the world's wealthiest countries.
But its critics say the rapid development has been accompanied by a strict control on free speech and politics.
The city state celebrates its independence day in style every year, but this year's SG50 events were billed as the country's biggest ever celebration, with months of build-up in shops, schools, work places and in the media.
One student, Yang Jie Ling, told Reuters news agency: "It's only 50 years for a small nation like us, so we have achieved so much. It's a year that Singaporeans will want to remember forever."
Singapore declared a four-day weekend for the anniversary.
There were long queues at the crossing points into Malaysia on Thursday and Friday evenings, as thousands of Singaporeans chose to go away for the weekend.
But some 26,000 people packed the Padang in central Singapore, which has been the main venue for independence day celebrations since the first one back in 1966.
The parade this year included a special tribute to Lee Kuan Yew, who led Singapore into independence and was its prime minister until 1990.
The much-respected leader died in March this year, prompting public mourning. Some attendees were seen weeping during tributes to him at the anniversary ceremony.
A recording of him reading the Proclamation of Independence was played on radio and TV at 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT).
Speaking on the eve of the celebrations, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Lee Kuan Yew's son, said: "At 50 years, as we stand at a high base camp, we look back and marvel how far we have come. We are grateful to those who made it happen."
Despite achieving such goals as 90% home ownership and per capita GDP above $56,000 (£36,000), critics continue to point to the strict political controls.
The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) has been in power for more than 50 years and the opposition hopes to make more inroads in elections that could be called in September.
The last election saw the PAP suffer its worst performance, though it still kept 80 of the 87 seats.
It will hope the boost of the anniversary and recognition of the legacy of Lee Kuan Yew will help it at the next election.
Singapore's city centre is a sea of red and white as hundreds of thousands wearing the national colours converged to take part in day-long festivities, from free concerts and military jet flypasts to a huge parade.
"It hasn't been an easy journey. Given all that we've achieved, it really calls for a celebration," said civil servant Joan Yeap, who like many others is picnicking with her family by Marina Bay to see a huge firework display.
As far as origin stories go, Singapore's independence is hardly a triumphant one - with an unceremonious ejection from Malaysia - and Sunday's jubilee festivities have all been about celebrating its improbable journey to success.
Upbeat patriotic songs about Singapore's achievements played on national television and radio. And in the evening the entire nation was invited to sing the national anthem and recite the country's pledge.
In its early years, organisers used it to push social messages such as courtesy and diligence.
These days it's a more sophisticated, glitzier affair, held by the shiny skyscrapers of Marina Bay.
Though the propaganda still gets heavy, Singaporeans love it anyway for its pomp and splendour. Tickets for the parade and its rehearsals run out every year.
