Laokokok said:

Whenever I read about the history of our Botanic Gardens, it was always mentioned that Sir Stamford Raffles established the first Botanic Gardens in Singapore in 1822 along the slopes of Fort Canning Hill. If this is the case, why are why celebrating 150 years now in 2009 and not 187 years?

So let us go thru the years and see why;

Recommended by Anonymous Coward: "Insightful and detailed research and explanation on Botanic Gardens' heritage. Very interesting read for all Singaporeans to learn about our heritage."

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Smithsonian.com said:

Peaceful and prosperous, Southeast Asia's famously uptight nation has let its hair down.

Recommended by mooiness: "An interesting story by a reporter experiencing culture shock on his first visit to Singapore in 37 years, remarking on how Singapore progressed from its "Sin City" past pre-independence, to the "survival first" mentality in its early days, to a straight-laced society that has now finally recognised the importance of the arts and culture to the vibrancy of a city."

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Danette said:

To feed both the frenzied redevelopment fever and strong public sentiment for the conservation of old buildings, the “winning formula” employed by the developers of 23 Amber Road emerged as a confused, mangled mish-mash – take one half of an old colonial bungalow, and finish the other half with an ungainly glass-and-steel skyscraper condominium.

Recommended by Anonymous Coward: "Historical buildings such as this are endangered in Singapore."

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yawning bread said:

After her successful foray into the little-noticed soundscapes of our city, in Singapore GaGa, documentary-maker Tan Pin Pin's latest work is Invisible City, which takes a look at the documenting process itself -- at the private citizen level.

"I decided to seek out people who, like me, choose Singapore as the topic of their work. I don't mean where Singapore is the setting for their work, but where Singapore is the main subject," she said.

"I was curious," she added, "about whether I was the only person who found this country so interesting."

Recommended by at82: "Yet another great documentary by Tan Pin Pin!"

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Citizen Historian said:

"The writers of the newsletter, ostensibly motivated by a streak of anti-establishmentarianism and imbued with the spirit of flippancy, continuously poke fun at university and government policies as well as issues on campus. ...A dig at the PAP's cultural policies depicted a word 'Censored' stamped diagonally across a column with no text, headlined 'Yellow Culture Column' ( Yakkity-Yak 1961, Vol. 1 No. 3, p.2). Another more flippant article screams the headline 'Girl Found Raped' and goes on to report about a fresh-woman participating in an orientation game and successfully meeting the objective of finding another student named James Raped. The library holds about ten years' worth of similar stuff, starting in 1959."

Recommended by Anonymous Coward: "Why interesting - A history thesis digs up the student hijinks of some of our present leaders"

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nanyangtemple said:

According to temple records, it was already in existence, albeit smaller in scale, in 1820. An attap temple was already present at the same location before Raffles landed in Singapore. Taishanting (now Ngee Ann City), the earlest Teochew cemetery was probably established at around the same time.

Recommended by Anonymous Coward: "Architectures preserved in pictures in an online documentation. Has an archive of old black and white pictures too. This will be treasured in years to come when everything is torn down and all you see walking in the streets are yuppies and gamblers. "

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Veron said:

The international museum day starts today! For 10 days (’til May 27), there will be more than 80 activities and events spread over 24 museums in Singapore!

Recommended by Veron: "You know how Singaporeans are always complaining that there's nothing to do in Singapore? For the next 10 days you would be able to visit interesting places (mostly free) and unearth a whole bunch of tidbits about our country!"

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s/pores said:

the early chapters of the Singapore Story have rested on the narrative of its principled fight against the communists within the ranks of the PAP itself. This motif has become less and less sustainable, and the recognition of this development can be seen as a response to the skepticism it has generated.

Recommended by Tym: "An article on exploring alternative histories of Singapore heavily quotes bloggers. Part of a new e-journal on Singapore studies, where "intimidating academic-speak is out". "

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Yawning Bread said:

Singaporeans tend to think of our country as a relatively young republic, but our city is not that young. In just 12 years' time, we will be celebrating the bicentenary of Thomas Stamford Raffles' landing in 1819, an event that we generally consider the founding of modern Singapore.

In the course of these 2 centuries, rulers and political systems have come and gone, even communities have passed our way. However, they often leave evidence of their time on the ground, which despite our incessant building and rebuilding -- unavoidable in our densely populated city -- are sometimes left untouched.

These are not landmarks, but markings on the land. The five that I have chosen for this photo essay have been mostly forgotten, but each tells a little story about a period in our past.

Recommended by Anonymous Coward: "Intriguing little photo essay about historic sites in Singapore. "

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Yesterday.sg said:

You may have heard that Google Maps now covers Singapore. A local company called Singeo has made use of the service to pinpoint some heritage sites, on a customised map.

Recommended by ssf: "A Singapore-specific use of Google Maps"

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Mr Miyagi said:

It will be a pity when the station is finally torn down to make way for whatever it is the city’s planners have in store for the area. But in the meantime, as long as talks as regards the water supply, the causeway and the railway continue to stall, there’ll still be time to saunter into the grand old building and appreciate the place, from the old decor to the more recent signboards - including a placard sometimes placed at the Kaunter Tiket that announces ‘Komputer Rosak’.

Recommended by rationalneurotic: "Although the train station sits on KTM land, it IS a part of Singapore's history - it used to be the most advanced way to go into Malaysia pre-North South Highway. That's a little piece of forgotten history."

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Good Morning Yesterday said:

My father was army, but in the water transport as a navigator on the landing crafts. I lived on the small island of Pulau Brani and went to the army primary school from 1958-1961 and then lived there again from 1963-1966, when I went to Alexandra Grammar School at Gillman Barracks and St Johns Comprehensive in Dover Road.

Recommended by ssf: "Life on Pulau Brani back in the 1960s."

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Readymade said:

Everything's rotting away or falling into disrepair due to neglect. This is painful to think about when you recall its history as a premier cinema here, with lavish (for its time) interiors. I was particularly impressed by the large representation of the zodiac on the auditorium ceiling, less so by the stylised wall-mounted sculptures of horses and riders on either side of the screen – all relics from an era when going to the movies was an experience.

Recommended by strangeknight: "Because something should be done before we lose yet another part of our history"

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kormmandos said:

When I was young, my mum was a full-time domestic engineer. (Ok, that really means housewife)

But the one thing that I remember most vividly then was her sitting at a corner of the kitchen of our old 3-room flat in Clementi, (the kitchen was huge then, you could do a lot of things there.) clipping away wires that were jutting out of electronic chips which she would later solder with a electric soldering iron.

Recommended by Anonymous Coward: "It talks about a our parents' method of bringing us up, and in retrospect, the attitude and love displayed through their commitment to their children."

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The Australian War Memorial said:

There are many incidents and stories associated with the fall of Singapore which now have become firmly entrenched in our national history, such as the controversial escape by General Bennett back to Australia, and the sinking of the Vyner Brooke and the Banka Island massacre. There are also many popular myths which continue to this day, such as that regarding the fortress guns famously pointed in the wrong direction (when, in fact, nearly all these weapons did engage the Japanese, although there was a shortage of high explosive ammunition).

Recommended by ssf: "Dr Chris Coulthard-Clark from the Australian War Memorial's Military History Section discusses the historical debates over the fall of Singapore, and its impact on Australian history."

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themediaslut said:

The Ford Motor Factory was the venue where the British surrendered Singapore to the Japanese on 16 Febuary 1942.

The moment themediaslut stepped into the enterance, it was a constant reminder of the ravages of war and the struggles of many Singaporeans during the Japanese Occupation.

Recommended by avalon: " The old Ford factory will be an interesting place to visit now that it is open to public, check out coverage of the opening event. Lots of pictures taken from the opening event itself."

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Ai Ling Sim-Devadas said:

Have you ever wondered what makes Singapore food ticks? Why is hawker food (street-food) so popular? What did people of Singapore eat in the early 20th century? How did laksa come about? Singaporefoodhistory.com is a resource for anyone interested in Singapore food history. It includes reference to useful books (including the first bibliography of Singapore's cookbooks), events, traditional recipes and links.

Recommended by menofclay: "A look at the history of our Singapore food; includes recipes from yester-years. Ai-Ling is also looking for clues to the origin of our humble curry puff (and its mysterious similarities to the Cornish pastry)"

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Chao said:

The Rita & Sakura Show - LP cover:

Recommended by Mr Miyagi: "This fella's collection of LP covers from the 60s is awesome! Check out the Singapore and Malaysian singers, especially 'Rocky Teoh - Malaysia's Elvis Presley!'"

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sheilaX said:

1819 is the year most Singaporeans associate with the awakening of the proverbial sleeping dragon- a creature that was, by all accounts, totally alien to the natives who lived during Raffles' tenure. Before this almost mythic date, however, we are led to believe that Singapore has no past worth mentioning or even remembering....

A thick mist stands between present-day Singapore and her past. An ordinary Singaporean only has a hazy, unformed and certainly romanticized grasp of history, and this baggage must be cleared away if one wants to get to the bottom of things. Like it or not- politically correct or not- Singapore's humble beginnings is inextricably linked with the Malay kingdoms that flourished in the region since two thousand years ago.

Recommended by tinkertailor: "Long article, but worth reading especially if you're interested in Singapore's history before Raffles."

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National Heritage Board said:

Don't miss this double bonanza of not one BUT two Open House Days at NHB museums next (sic) week!

Recommended by yuhui: "Learn more about the holidays. Free admissions at Singapore History Musem, Singapore Philatelic Museum, Asian Civilisations Museum, and more!"

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