Year 1960

National Library Officially Opened

Saturday, 12th November 1960

The new red-bricked building was officially opened and christened as the National Library of Singapore by the President of Singapore, Encik Yusof bin Ishak. The architecture was said to reflect the red-brick epoch of British architecture in the 1950s. The building was designed and built by the Public Works Department.


Second Go-Kart Race In Singapore

Sunday, 28th August 1960

The Singapore Motor Club and the Forces Motoring Club jointly organised the second Go-Kart race in Police Training School (Police Academy). There was be six racing events including a 25-laps race for the open category and 10-laps race for ladies category.


Big Fire At Potong Pasir

Thursday, 28th July 1960

100 villagers lose homes in morning blaze which broke out shortly after 11 a.m. The destroyed nine attap houses in a kampong at Potong Pasir. off Serangoon Road. The Minister for Labour and Law. Mr. K. M. Byrne, visited Potong Pasir and distributed $10 and rice to each of the fire victims. About $1,000 was donated by the public through the Council of Social Services. The rice was contributed by the Catholic Welfare Service.


Twelve Hours Of Rain Wreaked Havoc

Friday, 3rd June 1960

Heaviest rain was in the western half of Singapore when it started to rain since 4am and last for 12 hours. That caused widespread flooding all over the island. Hardest-hit area was at Wayang Satu along Bukit Timah Road.  At one time, the flood water was at 4 feet high. Rows of stalled cars were left abandoned by the roadside. Other badly-affected areas were Queenstown, where the 2 feet high water flooded scores of homes. Even Orchard Road was turned into a muddy river with streams pouring into the flooded road. The Padang was a shallow lake.


First Go-Kart Race In Singapore

Sunday, 28th February 1960

Singapore Forces Motor Club hold its first Go-kart Race at Dover Road 40 Base Workshop carpark (off Ayer Rajah Road). A special 10-lap event om several locally constructed go-karts will compete against an American model driven by Mr. J. N. Fredrickson.


HDB was formed

Monday, 1st February 1960

The Housing & Development Board, HDB, was setup with Mr. Lim Kim San as its chairman.  Over the next 4 decades, Lim Kim San went on to server as Minister for National Development, Finance, Defense, Education, Communications and the Environment.