National Loyalty Week
Thursday, 3rd December 1959
National Loyalty Week was held between 3 - 10 December 1959 to encourage a sense of loyalty to the new state of Singapore amongst its diverse citizens. It saw the inauguration of key national symbols including the state flag, the national anthem, the state crest and the installation of the first Yang di-Pertuan Negara or Head of State. During the week people could dial 2 or 3 to listen to Majulah Singapura on the telephone. Admission to swimming pools was free, and rides at the Great World and Happy World were free or greatly reduced in price. The Legislative Assembly and the University of Malaya's Science Faculty were opened to the public in the mornings. Exhibitions with free entry included "The 'Peoples' Government at Work" at the Victoria Memorial Hall, photography and arts exhibition at the Polytechnic, and the Singapore Harbour Board exhibition at the SHB Exhibition Pavilion at Tanjong Pagar.