The American Club Magazine - Fall 2021

The Singapore National Stadium – former site of the current Sports Hub

In 1974, the parade was broadcast in color for the first time. On Singapore’s 10th bir thday in 1975, National Day celebrations took place at 13 locations island-wide for the first time.Yet another significant first, the National Day parade was held at the National Stadium for the first time in 1976, with some 60,000 spectators packed into the parade site. In the 1980s, National Day songs made their debut such as the famous Stand Up for Singapore (1984) and Count on Me Singapore (1986). It was also during this decade that the parades’ military displays grew continually and advanced technologically. Since 1986, spectators got to enjoy atmospheric effects created by lights, laser beams and projections. In 1987, about 100,000 lights lit up simultaneously around the Padang area, literally lighting up the night. In 1989, the Red Lions made their appearance as a formalized team, and continues to be a parade favorite until today.

The parade began at the Padang at 9:00 a.m. with the arrival of then President Yusof bin Ishak, followed by the playing of the national anthem, the presidential salute and a 21-gun salute. Some 23,000 people were involved in the parade, including soldiers, trade unionists, civic and uniformed groups, teachers and children. Spectators young and old lined the streets from Padang, to City Hall and up until Chinatown. Amidst the celebrations, at approximately 10:40 a.m., rain fell on Singapore’s first parade. Despite the downpour, the military contingent continued marching in the rain. Though drenched, many spectators were undeterred by the wet weather as they continued to marvel at and soak in the celebrations. This speaks of the nation’s strength and unity. As the skies cleared up just in time for the end of the festivities, the first of two fireworks displays took place at 4:00 p.m. at the Padang, with the second taking place at 7:00 p.m. at For t Canning Rise. Throughout the 1960s, all of the National Day parades were held at the Padang, which is one of the reasons why the Padang is still an iconic landmark in Singapore.

The 1970s saw a surge in technological advancements and industrial developments, and it was a decade of many “firsts”. Jets and helicopters made their debut in the parade, and the first fly-past of the state flag made an appearance at the 1970 parade, which would become an annual highlight up until today. National Day fly-past during NDP 2014

The Red Lions in action at NDP 2009

18 THE AMERICAN CLUB SINGAPORE