As we celebrate our Nation’s 51st birthday this year, let us go back to our roots and reflect on the times when the pioneer generation painstakingly build this beautiful Garden City we live in today.
What was once a wasteland has transformed into a first-world city with majestic skyscrapers and prospering economy, and a rich culinary landscape shaped by the multi racial and religious groups residing here.
Today, we will be looking at some significant events that took place since the colonial era and Remember The Years of Nation Building.
Pre 1960s: Colonial Times
Unlike the tall HDB flats that most of us are living in today, shophouses proliferated the streets under the British rule. Above the shops are usually two stories of living accommodation which you can still find in present Chinatown.
In a country made up of migrants coming from all over the world to make a living, there is a need to cater for their religious beliefs. Some of the oldest places of worship that are still around in Singapore are the Armenian Church, Sultan Mosque and Sri Mariamman Temple.
Photo Credit: Nlannuzel
The iconic Cathay building was designed by a British architect, Frank Brewer, and used to be the tallest skyscraper in the city! It was the first air-conditioned cinema opened to public and was used as a landmark for landing at Singapore’s first civilian airport, Kallang airport.
It is hard to imagine that in today’s context when most buildings are much taller than The Cathay.
1960s: The Birth of A Nation
What was once a former post office located at the side of Singapore River has been replaced today with five-star hotel, The Fullerton Singapore.
Its grand architecture and spectacular view draws crowds every day today, and it is a very popular accommodation among tourists. Locals love a good afternoon tea in the lobby lounge too.
Photo Credit:Today
Just around the corner is the Padang stadium where our Founding Prime Minister broke the news of Singapore’s independence on that very platform itself in 1965.
Another important event that happened in the 1960s is the formation of the Housing Development Board. In less than three years, the HDB built 21,000 high rise buildings that most Singaporeans are living in today.
1970s: Industrial Town
Part of the plan in moving Singapore higher up in economic status involved putting more effort into manufacturing and industrial development. Although it did work in turning Singapore into a business hub, there was a price to pay.
Back in the 1970s, hawkers and manufacturing industries crowded the Singapore River, polluting it with wastes and oil spills. As a result, the river was severely polluted. The leaders of Singapore felt that something had to be done, and so the large-scale Singapore River clean-up happened.
Those days of stinky polluted river are long gone. The Singapore River we have with us today has become one of the most active hangouts in the CBD.
Take a leisure walk down the riverbanks and you will see for yourself how Clarke Quay and Boat Quay come to life at night with so much that is happening there.
Enjoy a beer or two in one of the many pubs, or pick a restaurant from the cluster that offers a wide selection of international cuisines.
If you are feeling extra adventurous, slip into the G-Max Reverse Bungy down the road. Firing up at 100kph, the G-Max swings up to 60 metres in the air!
1980s: Building The Groundwork of A Country
By 1980s, businesses were flourishing and Singapore’s Gross Development Index was on a rise. In order to expand trade and more opportunities, the Singapore Changi Airport opened in 1981.
With that, the tourism and hospitality industries saw a huge growth in terms of profits and also an expansion in job openings.
Awarded as the World’s Best Airport for the fourth consecutive year, Changi Airport’s three terminals serve more than 100 airlines flying in and out of the country.
Besides its primary business, the airport has an interesting array of activities for visitors too!
How many airports in the world allow you to go shopping for local gifts, dine at exquisite restaurants, catch movies and relax at a massage parlour at the same time? There is even a butterfly gardenl inside Changi Airport for you to explore. We kid you not.
1990s: The Start of An Urban City
Apart from air transport, our Mass Rapid Transport system for the East West Line (EWL) officially started in the 1990s. The one-hour ride on the EWL brings you to many neighbourhoods in Singapore, as well as key areas in the city centre.
Photo Credit: Danny Santos II
Just out of Bugis station is the lively Bugis district. One very popular Chinese temple is the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho on Waterloo street where Buddhists pray at.
Apart from that, many teenagers head down to New Bugis Street to shop as they offer cheaper apparels, shoes and accessories as compared to big brands in shopping malls.
To blend in with the locals, join them at the busy Arab street where you will see shophouses brimming with cafes, crafts, clothes with their own house brands and even fishing equipment!
The history behind Arab Street is as its name suggests. The area was once occupied by Arab traders and the tradition is still preserved as seen by the many Middle Eastern eateries there.
2000s to present day: Metropolis Singapore
It is difficult to imagine how Singapore used to be a fishing village just a few decades back. Fast forward 51 years, and this is the Garden City we are all proud of. Yet, that is not all.
Throughout the past few years, Singaporeans have been kept busy with new attractions springing up. And we are now a first world city and a popular tourist destination with a thriving economy.
The Marina Barrage dam opened in 2008 and became a place for locals to go to for picnics, kite flying and family bonding sessions.
Nearby the dam is Gardens by the Bay which brings to life Singapore’s vision of being a Garden City.
The Gardens boasts three waterfront gardens and two glass conservatories keeping plants from all over the world. No efforts has been spared in achieving suitable climatic conditions for the plants that come from tropical highlands and 2,000 metre high peaks.
Of course, we cannot forget to include the Marina Bay Sands. Taking up a prominent part of Singapore’s skyline, there has been much attention on the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool. Peaking at 57 stories high, there is nowhere better to catch a panoramic view of Singapore.
It has been an incredible 50 years of independence, and in 2015, we celebrated the SG50 milestone.
Moving forward as a nation, we should think of what lies ahead by embracing this year’s National Day theme ‘Building Our Singapore of Tomorrow’. We all have our parts to play – and we contribute to the Singapore we all call Home. There shall be many more 50 years, and as quoted by U.S President Obama, “Singapore may be a little red dot but it has great impact on the world.”
May we continue to prosper and thrive. Happy 51st Birthday, Singapore! We are proud to be Singaporeans!