Every year on August 9th, Singapore celebrates its National Day with vibrant festivities. This special day commemorates Singapore's independence and is usually celebrated with parades, patriotic songs, and fireworks. 

National Day is a time to honor the nation's history, achievements, and diverse culture. Here are some simple and interesting facts about Singapore and its National Day to share with your family, friends, and colleagues.

 

Names of Singapore

1. Singapore

The name comes from the Malay word "Singapura," which means Lion City in Sanskrit.

2. Lion City

It's said that Sang Nila Utama saw a large animal in Temasek that he thought was a lion.

3. Temasek

An old name for the area where Singapore is now, referring to an ancient sea town.

4. Garden City

In 1967, late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew wanted Singapore to be a city with lots of greenery and clean streets.

 

Singapore National Day

Image Source: timeout

 

5. Independence

Singapore became independent from Malaysia on 9 August 1965, and this year marks 59 years of National Day celebrations.

6. Parade Timing

The Singapore National Day Parade used to be in the morning but was moved to the evening in 1973 to attract more spectators. In 2018, 25,000 people attended.

7. Theme Song

Every year, Singapore National Day has a special song. In 2019, “Our Singapore” featured 27 artists from different generations.

 

Singapore National Anthem and Language

8. Singapore National Anthem

The Singapore national anthem was written in 1958 by Encik Zubir Said and is entirely in Malay.

9. Micro-Text on Currency

The full Singapore National Anthem is printed in tiny text on the back of Singapore’s S$1,000 note.

10. Languages in Singapore

The Singapore government recognizes four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil.

 

Singapore National Flag’s Meaning

Image Source: edarabia

 

11. Creation of the Singapore National Flag

The national flag was created in 1959 after Singapore gained independence from Great Britain.

12. Colors and Symbols

Red stands for brotherhood and equality, and white stands for purity and virtue. The crescent moon represents a young nation, and the five stars stand for democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality.

 

More Fun Facts about Singapore

Image Source: wisemove

 

13. The Merlion

A mythical creature with a lion’s head and a fish’s body. There are five Merlion statues in Singapore, with the original one in Merlion Park.

14. Changi Airport

Singapore Changi Airport has been named the World’s Best Airport by Skytrax for seven years in a row.

15. UNESCO Site

The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

16. Singapore in the USA

There's a ghost town named Singapore in Michigan, USA.

17. Walking Speed

Singaporeans are some of the fastest walkers in the world.

18. Night Safari

Singapore has the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park.

19. Islands in Singapore

Singapore consists of 63 islands, including Pulau Ubin and Sentosa.

 

To Wrap Up

These interesting facts highlight Singapore’s rich history, culture, and unique features, making National Day a significant celebration for the nation. Exploring the city during this festive period can be an exciting experience.

Enhance it by renting a car in Singapore with WAHDAH and enjoy the comfort of exploring Singapore at your own pace. Rent with us today and make the most of your Singapore National Day celebrations!