Year 1973

National Stadium was officially opened

Tuesday, 31st July 1973

Singapore’s ultra modern and new sports facility, the National Stadium, was officially opened in conjunction with Singapore’s hosting of the VII SEAP (Southeast Asian Peninsular) Games for the first time.


NTUC Open First Cooperative Supermarket

Sunday, 22nd July 1973

The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) launched a supermarket co-operative called NTUC Welcome (Fairprice) in Toa Payoh. The then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew was there to officially declare the store opened. This was a significant indication of the strong support from the government.


Adelphi Hotel Closed

Monday, 25th June 1973

The Adelphi Hotel had a grand farewell party at its premises.  The hotel's management made a nice gesture for proceeds from that night went to the Singapore Cheshire Home for the handicapped.  The closing of the three-storey Adelphi Hotel marked the closing of Singapore's oldest hotel.  The Adelphi Hotel started operations in 1863 in Commercial Square but when the premises could not cope with the hotel's growing business, the hotel than shifted to High Street.  And letter to it last location Coleman Street.


The Singapore Zoo opened its gates

Saturday, 23rd June 1973

The Singapore Zoo (offically & legally named: Singapore Zoological Gardens) opened to public with a collection of 270 animals from over 72 species, and a staff of 130. The opening was an instant hit, probably from the escape of the black panther, with the local population. Endless streams of people visited the Singapore Zoological Gardens over the next few months.


Start of Singapore Stock Exchange

Saturday, 16th June 1973

Finance Minister Hon Sui Sen inaugurated the Singapore Stock Exchange (SES) at the Trading Room, Clifford Centre. Approval was already given on 31 May 1973, with the adoption of Rules, Bye-Laws and Regulations, Corporate Disclosure Policy and the Listing Manual. The SES was later subsumed under the Singapore Exchange, together with the Singapore International Monetary Exchange.


Singapore Dollars and Malaysia Ringgit Parted

Tuesday, 8th May 1973

The currencies of Singapore and Malaysia ceased to be interchangeable. The pact, since 1967, had allowed the Singapore Dollar and Malaysian Ringgit to be used at par in the two countries. Singapore Finance Minister Hon Sui Sen announced that the Malaysian Government had conveyed to him its decision to terminate the Interchangeability Agreement with the Singapore Government.


Eighth Singapore Grand Prix

Sunday, 22nd April 1973

SIA (Singapore Airlines) replaces MSA (Malaysia-Singapore Airlines) as the sponsor. Singapore Airlines hosted most of the top overseas racer. The main race was won by Vern Schuppan in his March 722. Graeme Lawrence and John Macdonald came in second and third respectively. The Motorcycle GP was won by Bill Molloy in his Kawasaki 750. This was the last Grand Prix that was held in the Upper Thomson Road Street Circuit.


The Black Panther Escaped

Wednesday, 7th March 1973

A black panther escaped from captivity. This escape set off a massive hunt by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in the Seletar-Mandai Road area. The three-year-old panther, acquired from Thailand just six days earlier, was one of three at the zoo which was scheduled to open the following month. It was reported missing the previous evening by the zoo keeper. Thousands of soldiers cordoning off the forest reserve and searching for month but gave up. Months later to the shock of a shipyard worker, he saw a huge black cat in one of his unfinished tankers at the shipyard in Tanjong Rhu. The authorities were then called in and the zoo officals promptly "captured the cat". Actually the frighten panther got itself trapped in a tank.


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