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William Goode Appointed as Singapore Governor

Monday, 9th December 1957

Sir William Goode was appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Singapore from 9 December 1957 to 3 June 1959.

Transfer Administration of Christmas Island To Australia

Monday, 10th June 1957

After World War II in 1945, Christmas Island was placed under the administration of the Colony of Singapore. Phosphate was discovered, leading to a booming mining industry which required large number of labourers from Singapore. The British proposed the transfer of Christmas Island to Australia. Taking consideration of the losses in phosphate mining, Australia compensated the self-government of Singapore a total of 2.9 million pounds. This event contributed indirectly to the political downfall of Second Chief Minister of Singapore Lim Yew Hock, who was blamed by the public for not trying hard enough in securing the sovereignty of Christmas Island.

Chinese Middle Schools Riots

Wednesday, 24th October 1956

The students camped at Chung Cheng High School and Chinese High School. They organised meetings and held demonstrations. This went on for about two weeks. The government issued an ultimatum that the schools be vacated. As the deadline approached, rioting started at the Chinese High School. The riots spread to other parts of the island. They lasted five days. 13 people were killed and more than 100 were injured. Hundreds of people were arrested, including Lim Chin Siong.

Lim Yew Hock swore in as Chief Minister

Saturday, 7th July 1956

Lim Yew Hock became Chief Minister of Singapore till 3 June 1959.

David Marshall Resigned as Chief Minister

Monday, 18th June 1956

David Saul Marshall resigned and stepped down from the post of Chief Minister. This is after failing to obtain self-government for Singapore from Britian.

Robert Black Appointed as Singapore Governor

Thursday, 30th June 1955

Sir Robert Brown Black was appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Singapore from 30 June 1955 to 9 December 1957.

Hock Lee bus riots

Thursday, 12th May 1955

Four people are killed during the Hock Lee bus riots. The Hock Lee bus strike began peacefully but escalated into a violent riot in which four people were killed and 31 injured. During the strike, large numbers of dismissed bus workers locked themselves in the Hock Lee garages at Alexandra Road and picketed at the gates.

Singapore Legislative Assembly 2nd General Election

Sunday, 3rd April 1955

The second general election for the Legislative Assembly was a lively and closely-fought affair, with several new political parties joining the fray. Unlike previous elections, voters were automatically registered, expanding the electorate to around 300,000.The SPP was soundly defeated in the election, winning only four seats. The newly-formed, left-leaning Labour Front was the biggest winner with ten seats was led by David Marshall. Labour Front formed a coalition government with the UMNO-MCA Alliance, which won three seats. Another new party, the leftist People's Action Party (PAP) led by Lee Kuan Yew, won three seats.

Lim Chin Siong Elected Assemblyman

Saturday, 2nd April 1955

Mr. Lim Chin Siong was elected Assemblyman for Bukit Timah. Then 22 years old, he was and remained the youngest Assemblyman ever to be elected into office.

PAP Inaugurated

Sunday, 21st November 1954

PAP or the People's Action Party was officially inaugurated at the Victoria Memorial Hall. Its objective is to fight colonialism in Singapore. Some of the PAP founder members included Dr Toh Chin Chye (protem Chairman), Mr Lee Kuan Yew (Secretary), Mr S. Rajaratnam, Mr C.V. Devan Nair, Mr Fong Swee Suan and Mr Abdul Samad. It was the largest political gathering Singaporeans had seen for many years. More than 1,500 people packed the Hall. Among the special guests were Dato Sri Tan Cheng Lock, president of the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA), and Tunku Abdul Rahman, president of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).

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