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Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Raffles' Letters: Intrigues behind the Founding of Singapore
There is one exhibition to consider especially if you are interested in the history behind Sir Stamford Raffles' Founding of Singapore. Read about my experiences at the exhibition, Raffles' Letters, here:
Raffles' Letters: Intrigues behind the Founding of Singapore. So intriguing that I would make more visits.
Raffles' Letters:
Intrigues behind the Founding of Singapore.
29 Aug 2012 - 28 Feb 2013.
10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
National Library Gallery, Level 10.
National Library Building.
100 Victoria Street, Singapore 188064.
Free Admission.
Official website: http://raffles.nl.sg
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SirStamfordRaffles
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Good Morning Yesterday: Growing Up in Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s
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Life in the Singapore today is very different from the life in Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s. How was life in the kampong (i.e. rural area) in those days? How did people relate to one another in those days when Facebook, mobile phones and smart-phones were non-existent? How did children entertain themselves in the days when there were no computer games and iPad? Where did family go to in those days when air-conditioned shopping malls were not the norm?
In Good Morning Yesterday: Growing Up in Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s, Lam Chun See embarked on his significant project to share the stories from the past. The book is a compilation and reorganization of the stories that Lam Chun See has written about what it was like to grow up in a Singapore that was vastly different from today.
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Keeping the Singapore story alive through writing about memories from past. |
Who may enjoy this book?
The author wrote in the introduction section, that the positive feedback from the faithful readers of his blog gave him the much-needed courage to embark on the project to work on getting this book published. This book is as such, definitely a must-have for faithful readers of his blog.
Anyone who is doing research about life in Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s may also find this book an invaluable resource as it is written from a direct personal perspective.
Lam Chun See is an alumnus of the Chong Boon Primary School, Anglo-Chinese School and National Junior College. Existing students and alumni of these schools are likely to find it intriguing to read about school life in the 1950s and 1960s.
This book is also a worthwhile souvenir for anyone who wishes to have a glimpse of Singapore's past. The book contains numerous photographs that were taken decades ago. Grandparents may find this book an apt gift for their younger ones who are eager to learn about the good old days of the past.
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At the soft launch of the book. |
The relationship between this book and the Prime Minister's National Day Rally speech:
Interestingly, I learnt that our Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, had played a part in motivating Lam Chun See to write this book. Lam Chun See wrote in his introduction how a part of the Prime Minister's National Day Rally Speech a few years ago had reminded him of the necessity for our young generation to know the heart of the Singapore story and the stories of Singapore's past.
Where to get a copy of this book?
If you are, like myself, all geared up to get yourself a copy of Lam Chun See's Good Morning Yesterday: Growing Up in Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s, you will be pleased to know that the book is available from selected Kinokuniya and Times bookstores. The recommended retail price for each copy is $18.
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Note: The publication is supported by the National Heritage Board's Heritage Industry Incentive Programme.
Acknowledgement: A heartfelt thanks to Lam Chun See for inviting me to the soft-launch of this publication. It was held at the Peranakan Museum on 4 Feb 2012. Many thanks to National Heritage Board for organizing the soft-launch too.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
From Heritage TV: The Kangxi Emperor
While I was browsing Yesterday.sg, I came across one recent episode of Heritage TV that features the exhibition, The Kangxi Emperor: Treasures from the Forbidden City. Check it out.
If the video entices you to visit the actual exhibition, you may wish to know that the exhibition is held from 13 Mar 2009 - 14 Jun 2009 at the Special Exhibitions Gallery, ACM Empress Place.
If the video entices you to visit the actual exhibition, you may wish to know that the exhibition is held from 13 Mar 2009 - 14 Jun 2009 at the Special Exhibitions Gallery, ACM Empress Place.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Heritage TV: Singapore Stone
Watch the HTV team discover more on the elusive Singapore Stone at the National Museum of Singapore! If the reviews to this experimental, trial episode of Heritage TV are good, there could be a 12-episode series next year.
I found out about this trial episode of Heritage TV from Wei Chong at National Heritage Board and fellow Friend of Yesterday.sg.
I particularly like the segment which touches on the significance of the Singapore Stone.
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On the side note, when this post is scheduled to be published, I should be on the flight back from Melbourne to Singapore.
I found out about this trial episode of Heritage TV from Wei Chong at National Heritage Board and fellow Friend of Yesterday.sg.
I particularly like the segment which touches on the significance of the Singapore Stone.
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On the side note, when this post is scheduled to be published, I should be on the flight back from Melbourne to Singapore.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Kampongs in Singapore

By the time that this post is scheduled to be published, I would have spent about close to a week in Sydney. I will set off for Melbourne on 19 Sep 2008 for a short stay there.
Meantime, I would like to point my readers to a post by fellow heritage blogger, Lam Chun See, of Good Morning Yesterday titled More than 1 type of kampong in Singapore.
I have been waiting for such a post from him for a while, and I am very pleased that it is finally out. In this post, Chun See shares about the difference between the various kinds of kampongs that used to exist in Singapore. I have never grown up in a kampong so it was enriching for me to read about life in kampongs.
Enjoy his post here: More than 1 type of kampong in Singapore
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Public Bus Transport by Peter Chan
How was the public bus transport system like in the past, before yours truly was even born?
On Good Morning Yesterday, guest blogger, Peter Chan writes about public bus transport in Singapore. Please find the first and second of this series here:
Public Bus Transport - No More STC Buses in Singapore!!!! (by Peter Chan)
Public Bus Transport (Part 2) - Singapore’s First Air-conditioned Public Bus (by Peter Chan)
Do take a good read of these two posts. Meantime, this is a scheduled post that will be published on Mid-Autumn Festival. May you have a heartwarming time.
Friday, December 07, 2007
My visit to Fort Siloso

If one of the buildings in the above post looks familiar, it could be because you have remembered it as one of the monorail stations when monorail trains used to be one of the mode of transport about the island of Sentosa. I was there to visit Fort Siloso of Sentosa some time ago.
Here's a post on my visit: Fort Siloso and Pulau Blakang Mati
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Today on Yesterday.sg


Source:
National Archives of Singapore
Access to Archives Online
PhotoCD Number : 19980007518
Image Number : 0084
A short post by yours truly has been published on Yesterday.sg.
Find out more about my personal perspective of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Ang Mo Kio New Town in the year 1989.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Singapore's National Day Parades, past and present


(Photo source: Times of My Life.)
Singapore's National Day is on 9 August. Singapore was separated from the rest of Malaysia on 9 August 1965, and became a sovereign, democratic and independent nation (see source). National Day commemorates the day when Singapore became an independent nation.
There's a recent post on Yesterday.sg that links to Laokokok's post that reminisces about the National Day Parades. It is worth a read. It was interesting for me to read about how National Day was celebrated in the past.
Check it out: National Day Parades, then and now.
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You may also wish to see:
http://heritage.ndp.org.sg
http://www.ndp.org.sg
Sunday, July 08, 2007
What is a Slide Rule?

Do you know what a slide rule is?
If you don't have the answer and would like to know it, please read Chun See's post on Yesterday.sg: Slide Rule.
I was quite fascinated when Chun See gave a demonstration of how to use a slide rule when I was at his place for the recent Friends of yesterday.sg (FOYer) gathering. Cool and ingenious item.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Explore Singapore!: World War II trek

On Yesterday.sg, be treated to more of the bite-sized video clips from Explore Singapore! series. This time, be treated to WWII related museums such as: the Fort Siloso, Memories at Old Ford Factory, Changi Museum and Reflections at Bukit Chandu.
Being interested in WWII history in this part of the world, I cannot help but point all the travellers to this blog to the recent few posts on Yesterday.sg.
Enjoy the entertaining drama of Sarah Thompson looking for her mother in Singapore with the help of former museum curator Mr Heng (view source) while checking out the various WWII-related museums in Singapore.
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z06anWnSq50
For your convenience, I have embedded the video clip on Sarah's and Mr Heng's visits to Memories at Old Ford Factory and Changi Museum right above. Check out the very site where the British had surrendered Singapore to the Japanese on 15 Feb 1942. Find out how people had lived during the Japanese Occupation. In addition, how prisoners-of-war communicated with their loved ones through quilts. I particularly like the story of the cross that was made from an artillery shell, so please watch this 8 minutes video to find out more. But of course, do visit Changi Museum, join the guided tour and listen to the more in-depth, touching story of this very cross.
Please also check out the following links for more video clips on Sarah's and Mr Heng's visits to other WWII-related museums:
- Explore Singapore! - Fort Siloso
- Explore Singapore! - Memories at Old Ford Factory & Changi Museum
- Explore Singapore! - Reflections at Bukit Chandu
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Exhibition: Lim Boon Keng: A Life to Remember
Up on my other blog, you can read about my latest post on my visit to the exhibition: Lim Boon Keng: A Life to Remember.
The exhibition, Lim Boon Keng: A Life to Remember is being held at the National Library of Singapore, 100 Victoria Street, from 24 January - 18 March 2007, at Level 9 Promenade.
At the exhibition, I was impressed to find out that not only was Dr Lim Boon Keng a medical doctor by training, he was a legislator, scholar, educator, entrepreneur, community leader, social reformer and philanthropist.
The post is written specially for my friend, Mystic. I think she might be interested in learning about the life of Lim Boon Keng and his various contributions to the society.
And if you are interested as well, then click on the link: At the National Library of Singapore: Lim Boon Keng: A Life to Remember.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
WWII accounts

Noelbynature has put up a post on Yesterday.sg that lead us to a link to the section titled: Fall of Singapore 1942, from BBC People’s War Project.
This will be nice reading for the weekend. I still can't believe that it will be Monday tomorrow. This weekend seems short.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Worth reading: Yamashita's Last Words

Photo taken at Memories at Old Ford Factory, Singapore.
There is a lot that we can learn from the lessons in history, if we take time to reflect on these.
While I was reading one of the posts from Yesterday.sg, I came to know of an article by Yuki Tanaka. The article is titled Last Words of the Tiger of Malaya, General Yamashita Tomoyuki.
These are words of General Yamashita Tomoyuki caught my eye:
It is not enough for a mother to think only about how to keep her children alive. She should raise them to be able to live independently, cope with various circumstances, love peace, appreciate cooperation with others and have a strong desire to contribute to humanity when they grow up.
I personally don't think it is just the responsibility of the mother to do so. It should be the responsibility of the parents, and the rest of the community.
Anyway, the article is worth a read, even if it looks fairly lengthy.
To read the full article, please click on the link on the right: Last Words of the Tiger of Malaya, General Yamashita Tomoyuki.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Investigating: About tall buildings
I wrote a post on yesterday.sg recently titled Singapore First Tallest Building, and it has set me on a journey to find out more about what used to be the tallest building in Singapore. It seems that the technology of building and constructing tall buildings have progressed over the years.
Thanks to an informant, I knew about this link (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=71589) which speaks about the former tallest/earliest skyscrapers of Singapore. Does any one have any lead to share?
Thanks to an informant, I knew about this link (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=71589) which speaks about the former tallest/earliest skyscrapers of Singapore. Does any one have any lead to share?
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
WWII Trek

World War II enthuasiast may like Angela's post about her experience to three locations of the "WWII Trek" Museum Hoppin’ Trail. The message that seems to haunt me is that the price of war is extremely heavy.
Read Angela's post: The Price of War
Monday, May 22, 2006
Eastern Allure


Angela writes an interesting post on her experience on the Eastern Allure Museum Hoppin’ Trail last Saturday.
I was in some way onboard this trail, but I had started out late and had only the time to visit the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall. I took the bus to the rest of the museums but merely stopped by to see the exterior.
I remember HP saying that she thinks this Eastern Allure trail would be interesting. I don't know if HP went for the trail, but here's sharing the link to Angela's post: http://yesterday.sg/detail/eastern_allure/. Hop onto the virtual journey.
(Photo of the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall by yours truly, PY.)
Saturday, May 06, 2006
In Changi

I think Simple American may like to know more about this museum, the Changi Museum.
There is a nice post written by Noel on Yesterday.sg about the Changi Museum. Visit: http://yesterday.sg/detail/life_goes_on_behind_bars/
By the way, if you are visiting the museum, do consider joining the guided tour. I personally think joining the guided tour makes one visit to the Changi Museum more complete.
If you enjoy reading about heritage related issues in Singapore and wish to support Yesterday.sg, you could spread the word around of that blog to your friends who may like to read about such topics.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Decision making can be challenging

You might have realised that I am quite keen to learn about World War II history in this part of the world.
Noel writes about The Battle Box, located at Fort Canning Rise in the post titled British Singapore's Last Hours. I think the post gives a wonderful summary about a visit to The Battle Box.
I have been there once, and my favourite segment is the Surrender Conference, whereby there is a re-enactment of the meeting among the British chiefs regarding whether to surrender to the Japanese. I remember that Lieutenant General Percival initially stood on the position of carrying on with the fight against the Japanese army. However, most of the factors seem to suggest otherwise. In the end, the team's decision was to surrender.
From the lessons learnt at the Surrender Conference of the Battle Box, I am thinking how challenging decision making can be. Sometimes the necessary information may not be available. If the British chiefs were aware that the Japanese army was, at that time, facing a worse shortage of resources, history may be different today.
Battle Box is definitely worth a visit for the World War II enthusiasts.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Be inspired by the courage

I am quite keen to share this place with you.
Noel writes about the Reflections at Bukit Chandu on yesterday.sg recently. I think the post gives a good idea about the place. If you are keen about World War II History in this part of the world, this is a good place to go to.
Even if you don't care about history, so long as you would like to be inspired by the courage and loyalty of the soldiers of the Malay Regiment, this is also a good place to visit.
Check out Noel's post: Reflections at Bukit Chandu
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(Taken by yours truly earlier this year.)
And if you have missed my earlier post on this place, you may check out this link: Remembering the heroes.
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