Held on the 9th of August every year, the National Day of Singapore is a momentous annual event, always celebrated with great gusto and immense patriotism. It commemorates the island’s independence from Malaysia in 1965. Modern Singapore was founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles, who was given permission by the Sultanate of Johor. By 1824, Singapore came under the sovereignty of British rule before falling into the hands of the Japanese during World War II. The country came back under British rule at the end of the war. In 1859, it became a self-governing nation before uniting with several other former British territories to form Malaysia in 1963. The country separated from Malaysia two years later.
From the start the National Day Parade, the Prime Minister’s speech and a massive fireworks display have remained staples of the Singaporean National Day. The parade is usually held at either Padang or the National Stadium, although it has been held at other venues as well. In 2012, the parade will be held at the Float@Marina Bay. This year’s parade theme will be ‘Loving Singapore, Our Home’, and will feature the ‘Orchidstar’. Tourists who find themselves in Singapore this August will also get to enjoy fireworks, which compose a significant part of the festival. The displays are put up by several local and international teams, the numbers of which have steadily increased over the years.
Glamorous, progressive and fun, Singapore remains a perennial tourist favourite. The tiny island nation is a regional hub for business and entertainment and receives visitors throughout the year. The country is located just off the southern tip of Malaysia, separated from the country by the Straits of Johor.
Two things that make the island an excellent tourist destination is the availability of quality hotels in Singapore and the efficient public transport system. Tourists who wish to participate in the national festivities should book their Singapore hotels early as things can get crowded as the day draws closer. The Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Singapore have several hotels in excellent locations across the island, making them popular places to stay.
