National Day (Singapore)

National Day
From top, left to right: Various commemorations of National Day over the decades
Official name	National Day of Singapore
Also called	Singapore Independence Day
Observed by	Singapore
Type	National
Significance	Commemoration of Singapore's independence as a sovereign state
Celebrations	National Day Parade, National Day Message by the Prime Minister of Singapore, and fireworks celebrations
Date	3 June (1960–1962) 9 August (1965–present)
Frequency	Annually

National Day,^[a] sometimes known internationally as Singapore Independence Day,^[b] is a major public holiday in Singapore which commemorates an independent and sovereign Republic of Singapore. Held on 9 August since 1965, this holiday features the National Day Parade (NDP), a National Day Message by the Prime Minister of Singapore and fireworks celebrations, among other festivities.^[1]

Singapore initially had a different date for National Day prior to 9 August, when it commemorated 3 June after achieving full internal self-governance from the United Kingdom in 1959. Between 1960 and 1962, Singapore celebrated National Day on 3 June to mark this occasion and the end of colonial rule.^[2][3]

The Singapore National Day Parade is a national ceremony that is usually held at The Float @ Marina Bay, the National Stadium at the Singapore Sports Hub, or the Padang. In 2007, the Parade was held at The Float @ Marina Bay for the first time, and in 2016, it was held at the Singapore Sports Hub. The parade includes performances that depict the yearly theme.

The National Day Message is an annual tradition on 8 August since 1966. In each year's recorded message, the Prime Minister of Singapore "examine[s] domestic and global developments, review[s] economic performance and outlook, and outline[s] national priorities and government plans as [he inspires] Singaporeans to move forward with a unified sense of purpose".^[4]

On the first or second Sunday following National Day, the prime minister gives an address to the nation at a National Day Rally, which usually features discussions of the country's status and accomplishments, and announcements of future plans and policy changes.^[5]

National Day celebrations also include fireworks celebrations. They feature several local and foreign teams which launch fireworks displays on different nights. First held in 2004 at Marina Bay, the event was initially known as the Singapore Fireworks Festival and organised by Unusual Productions. The amount of fireworks used has grown in magnitude over the past three years, from 4,000 rounds used in 2004 to over 9,000 in 2006. In 2012, a Mentos commercial encouraged procreation during the same time as the fireworks celebration.^[6]

• List of Singaporean patriotic songs