Year 2013
Third Singapore Grand Prix
Monday, 15th April 1968
The Singapore Grand Prix coincided with the country’s 1968 General Election. The race was won by an Australian, Garrie Cooper in the Elfin 600 and was followed closely by Jan Bussell with his Brabham BT15. Steve Holland was third in this Lotus 47.
Britain announced withdrawal of troops
Tuesday, 16th January 1968
Mr Harold Wilson, the then Prime Minister of UK, announced the intention to withdraw all of Britain's 35,000 troops stationed in Singapore by end 1971. This shocked the nation as it was less than three years into independence from Malaysia. The situation had Mr Lee Kuan Yew saying, "If you go out too fast, I will just have to hire mercenaries rather than have a power vacuum."
Second Singapore Grand Prix
Friday, 17th March 1967
The race was held in Upper Thomson Road Street Circuit and was touted the biggest motoring spectacle of 1967. To usher in the event, the film premiere of the John Frankenheimer movie, Grand Prix, was showed at the Orchard Theatre. The main event was won by Rodney Seow in his new Merlyn F-2 Mark 10. The runner-up was Hong Kong racer, Albert Poon, in his Lotus 23B and Arsenio Laurel of the Philippines came in third in his Lotus 41. Last year winner, Lee Han Seng, had to retire his Brabham with a damaged wheel in lap 19 of the 60 laps race.
National Service Act
Tuesday, 14th March 1967
The National Service Bill (Amendment) 1967 was first read in Parliament on 27 Feb 1967. After a spirited debate in Parliament, the NS Act was passed.
First National Service Call-Up
Tuesday, 21st February 1967
The first National Service, compulsory military training, call-up of 9,000 youths for the independent nation was initiated on this day the then Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew (LKY). The cream of Singapore's youths would have to serve two years in the Armed Forces on leaving school. Eligible for call-up were those whose 18th birthday fell on or after 1 January 1967.
The Civilian War Memorial
Wednesday, 15th February 1967
The Civilian Memorial was officially unveiled by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who laid a wreath on behalf of the Government and the people of Singapore. Religious rites were conducted by officials of the Inter-Religious Organisation and a three-minute silence was observed in honour of the dead during the Japanese Occupation (from 15 Feb 1942 to 15 Aug 1945). Those present included the victims' families, members of the diplomatic corps (including the Japanese Ambassador), religious chiefs and representatives from the four races. Costing an estimated $500,000 (Singapore Dollars), one of the characteristics of the Memorial is its height of 61 metres and its four columns. The columns represent the four races joined together at the base - signifying the unity of all races. Construction of the Memorial began in June 1966 and was completed in January 1967.
Japan Made To Pay $50 million In War Reparations
Tuesday, 25th October 1966
The Government of Singapore made a request to Japan for reparations and an apology. On 25 October 1966, Japan agreed to pay $50 million in compensation, half of which as a grant and the other half as a loan. Japan did not make an official apology.
Singapore celebrated its first National Day
Tuesday, 9th August 1966
The main event of the first Singapore National Day was a National Day parade involving 23,000 men, women and children which was held at the Padang. , At exactly 9 am was the arrival of the Republic's first President, Yusof bin Ishak and was met by Defence Minister cum Colonel of the Singapore Artillery, Dr Goh Keng Swee. Already seated the steps of the City Hall were Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, Cabinet Members, Members of Parliament and invited guests. Then the National Anthem was played with a Presidential salute, and then, escorted by Doctor Goh, the President reviewed the parade Guard of Honor. This was followed by the start of the march past. The finale brought crashing cymbals, gongs, thundering drums and a mass display of 60 lions and dragons dance. The event ended at 10.30 am.
First Singapore Grand Prix
Monday, 11th April 1966
This is the second time the event was named “First Singapore Grand Prix”. The first time was in 1961. According to Singapore’s Minister for Social Affairs, Encik Othman Wok, "this is the first Grand Prix we are organising as an independent country." The Upper Thomson Road Street Circuit had been completely re-surfaced with a new layer of tarmac. Also the prize kitty was increased to $30,000. The race also attracted some high-profile racers from Australia and Hong Kong. The main event was won by Lee Han Seng in his Lotus 22 Ford.
PM opens Union House
Friday, 15th October 1965
The Trade Union House was opened this evening in Shenton Way. The location of the union house on such a prime piece of land was in recognition of the important role played by the trade unions in nation building. The opening ceremony was performed by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew – himself fulfilling an election pledge in 1959 – before his party swept to power with massive union support. Tributes were paid to the Secretary General of NTUC Devan Nair by unionists and Mr Lee.
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