Singapore Signed First Day Cover

Twenty postcards in a booklet, published by Straits Times Press Pte Ltd, capturing memories of National Day Parades. The maximum cards in this blog are created using postcards from this booklet.

Year 2016 marks the 50th National Day Parade. Photos here are taken from the exhibits at Kallang Wave, August 2016.

"Thousands took part in Singapore's first National Day Parade in front of City Hall on August 9, 1966. Photo: The Straits Times". The special postmark "HAPPY BIRTHDAY SINGAPORE 8.8.2016" was available only at Toa Payoh roadshow booth on August 8, 2016. The set of six stamps and a miniature sheet to commemorate the 50 Years of National Day Parade was designed by Wong Wui Kong.

"President Yusof Ishak (hand raised in a salute), along with Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew (far left) and Cabinet ministers, presided over Singapore's inaugural National Day Parade at the Padang on August 9, 1966. Photo: The Straits Times".

"Singapore's National Day celebration on August 9, 1966, saw the parade march along St Andrew's Road before it proceeded along a route which included North Bridge Road, South Bridge Road and Tanjong Pagar Road. Photo: The Straits Times".

"Despite the wet conditions, the crowds lined the streets to watch 81 contingents, which included the Singapore army, complete the 8km National Day Parade march on August 9, 1968. Photo: Wan Seng Yip".

"It was an "armchair's view" for thousands of Singaporean as the National Day Parade marched passed their houses and shops on August 9, 1970. One particular vantage point was this multi-storey Selegie House in Selegie Road which presented a sea of faces. Photo: Chew Boon Chin".

"A Singapore Airlines stewardess was caught stealing a last glance in the mirror just before the start of the National Day Parade on August 9, 1976. Photo: Francis Ong".

"Two hundred young men from the Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist Association formed a five-level human tower with a youngster holding aloft the Singapore flag at the peak during the National Day Parade at Jalan Besar Stadium on August 9, 1981. Photo: Christopher Loh".

"The adults and children watching the National Day Parade on August 9, 1985, at Guillemard Road were obviously very thrilled by the Republic of Singapore Air Force flypast. Fifteen planes just flew by above them. Photo: Nghai Chee Wah".

"Spectators and parade participants flashed their torches as fireworks lit the night skies during the National Day Parade of Singapore, held at the National Stadium on August 9, 1986. Photo: Michael Liew".

"A flypast by the Singapore Air Force's helicopters during the National Day Parade on August 9, 1987. The huge state flag suspended beneath the lead chopper was as large as an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Photo: Tan Suan Ann".

"These soldiers stood ramrod-straight for a rifle salute during the rehearsal of Singapore's National Day Parade at the Padang on August 1, 1993. Photo: Chew Seng Kim".

"While the dancers were entertaining everyone at the Padang during the preview of Singapore's National Day Parade on July 29, 2000, an elderly coupe were having different thoughts in mind. Photo: Alan Lim".

"It was a wet, wild and wonderful evening for more than 100,000 people who ringed the Marina Bay waterfront to usher in Singapore's 42nd birthday on August 9, 2007. The first National Day Parade on water set sail in grand style, framed against the city skyline. Photo: Desmond Wee".

"About 8,700 union members and their families turned up at the Padang to hold red and while umbrellas which opened to form the Singapore flag on National Day, August 9, 2007. Photo: Lau Fook Kong".

"Four-year-old Haris bin Mohd Nor was seen looking up with mouth agape, clearly mesmerised by the Red Lions' performance at the National Day Parade of Singapore in 2008. Photo: Wang Hui Fen".

"Inspired by stars against the backdrop of the velvet night sky, 660 dancers from the Singapore Soka Association wowed the crowd during the National Day Parade preview on July 31, 2010. Photo: Samuel He".

"Mr Lee Kuan Yew was seen entering the VIP stand during the National Day Parade, amid a sea of people waving their flags. The celebration, held at The Float@Marina Bay on August 9, 2012, marked Singapore's 47th year of independence. Photo: Desmond Lui".

"A section of 200 pupils from Yishun Primary School, dressed in army, navy and air force uniforms, represented Singapore's future defenders with great enthusiasm in a dance item at the National Day Parade in 2013. Photo: Mark Cheong".

"The Singapore Armed Forces' Red Lions made their descent with the moon in the background during the National Day Parade preview held at The Float@Marina Bay on August 2, 2014. Photo: Mark Cheong".

"The crowds cheered as they did the Kallang Wave at the National Day Parade held at the Padang on August 9, 2015. It was Singapore's Golden Jubilee - the country's 50th year of independence. Photo: Kua Chee Siong".