Happy 41st Birthday, Singapore!

Tomorrow is 9 August 2006 and it's the 41st National Day of the Republic of Singapore! Allow me to share something about Singapore in this blog - dedicated just for Singapore!

National Flag

The national flag is Singapore's most visible symbol of statehood, symbolising our sovereignty, pride and honour. It reflects the ideals, beliefs and values that we stand by as a nation amidst our rich and diverse make-up. It forms a crucial element of our national identity. As such, the national flag is to be treated with dignity and honour.

Its Origin
The national flag was unveiled on 3 December 1959, together with the state crest and the national anthem, at the installation of the new Head of State, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara. It was created by a Committee led by then Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Toh Chin Chye. It replaced the Union Jack, which had flown over Singapore for 140 years (1819-1959). Upon Singapore's independence in 1965, it was adopted as Singapore's national flag.

Its Meaning
The flag consists of two equal horizontal sections, red above white. In the upper left section are a white crescent moon, and five white stars forming a circle. Each feature of the flag has its own distinctive meaning and significance. Red symbolises universal brotherhood and equality of man. White signifies pervading and everlasting purity and virtue. The crescent moon represents a young nation on the ascendant. The five stars stand for the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.

Source: http://www.sg/explore/symbols_flag.htm

National Anthem

Our National Anthem is "Majulah Singapura" (Malay Language & National Language) which means "Onward Singapore" (in English of course)!

Background of our National Anthem
The national anthem was written in the wake of nationalism during 1956-57. Its composer, the late Encik Zubir Said, had written it on the basis of two words, "Majulah Singapura" which means "Onward Singapore". It was launched on 3 Dec 1959 together with the national flag and the state crest, at the installation of the new head of state, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara. Upon Singapore's independence in 1965, "Majulah Singapura" was adopted as the republic's national anthem.

Lyrics of our National Anthem

MAJULAH SINGAPURA
(Malay Language & National Language)

Mari kita rakyat Singapura
Sama-sama menuju bahagia
Cita-cita kita yang mulia
Berjaya Singapura

Marilah kita bersatu
Dengan semangat yang baru
Semua kita berseru

Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura

ONWARD SINGAPORE
(English Translation)

Come, fellow Singaporeans
Let us progress towards happiness together
May our noble aspiration bring
Singapore success

Come, let us unite
In a new spirit
Let our voices soar as one

Onward Singapore
Onward Singapore

Source: http://www.sg/explore/symbols_anthem.htm

National Songs

Since 1988, Singapore has this Sing Singapore event and there are many songs which will bring back many fond memories for people around my age - twenties to thirties when these national day songs followed us through our growing up years.

If you wish to listen to these songs, please go to the following website and you could download the original (not remixed) version of most of the national songs in all the 4 official languages of this land!

1988
1988 - Five Stars Arising
1988 - Paaduvom Vaarungal
1988 - Various - Chan Mali Chan
1988 - Various - Count On Me Singapore
1988 - Various - Di Tanjong Katong
1988 - Various - Engkal Singapore
1988 - Various - Gelang Sipaku Gelang
1988 - Various - Munnaeru Valliba
1988 - Various - Stand Up for Singapore
1988 - Various - Tong Yao
1988 - Various - We Are Singapore
1988 - Voices From The Heart
1988 - Xiao Ren Wu De Xin(Voices From The Heart)

1990
1990 - Various - Lenggang Kangkong
1990 - Various - Nian Qing De Xin

1992
1992 - Its The Little Things

1994
1994 - The Magic Is You

1996
1996 - Various - Bunga Sayang

1998
1998 - Cai Li Lian - Xi Shui Cang Liu
1998 - Evelyn Tan - Home (Malay)
1998 - Kit Chan - Home (Chi)
1998 - Kit Chan - Home (Eng)
1998 - Murali Krishnan - Home (Tamil)

1999
1999 - Evelyn Tan - Together (Eng)
1999 - Evelyn Tan & Dreamz FM - Together

2000
2000 - Evelyn Tan - Xin Lian Xin (Chi)
2000 - Jai - Shine On Me (Eng)
2000 - Mavis Hee - Shine On Me Xing Yue (Chi)
2000 - Moments Of Magic (Chi)
2000 - Someone Someday
2000 - We Are The Ones
2000 - Evelyn Tan & Dreamz FM - Xin Lian Xin (Together)

2001
2001 - Tanya Chua - Where I Belong (Chi)
2001 - Tanya Chua - Where I Belong (Eng)

2002
2002 - Tanya Chua - Shu Yu
2002 - Sun Yan Zi - We Will Get There (Eng)
2002 - Sun Yan Zi -We Will Get There (Chi)
2002 - Various - Bumiku Bumimu
2002 - Various - Let Our Hearts Beats (As One)
2002 - Various - My Dream
2002 - Various - One (We Are One)
2002 - Various - Tekka Rap
2002 - Yi Qi Zou Dao

2003
2003 - Sean Wong - A Place In My Heart (Chi)
2003 - Sean Wong - A Place In My Heart (Eng)
2003 - Sun Yan Zi - One United People (Chi)
2003 - Sun Yan Zi - One United People (Eng)
2003 - Sun Yan Zi - One United People (Ins)

2004
2004 - Choir - Home (Chi)
2004 - Choir - Home (Eng)
2004 - Home
2004 - Lin Jun Jie - Home (Eng)
2004 - Kit Chan - Home (Eng)
2004 - Kit Chan w Young Voices - Home (Eng)
2004 - Young Voices - Home (Chi)
2004 - Young Voices - Home (Eng)

2005
2005 - Reach Out For The Skies (Dance)
2005 - Sing Our Wishes
2005 - We can
2005 - Wendi Koh - Uniquely You

2006
2006 Theme - Kaira Gong - My Island Home
2006 Theme - Kaira Gong - Xing Fu De Tu Xing
2006 - Kelvin Chen Wei Lian - Xiao Ren Wu De Xin Shen
2006 - Khairul - Semoga Bahagia
2006 - Shabir - Singapore Endru

Source: http://www.ndp.org.sg/index.php?id=16