Timeline of Singaporean history 2198160 220976703 2008-06-22T14:06:11Z Tassedethe 7098284 Disambiguate [[William Pickering]] to [[William A. Pickering]] using [[:en:Wikipedia:Tools/Navigation_popups|popups]] {{History of Singapore}} This is a [[timeline]] of the [[History of Singapore|history]] of [[Singapore]]. For more detailed annual listings, see [[List of years in Singapore]]. ==Before 1800== * 3rd century - Early Chinese account of Singapore describes the island of "Pu Luo Chung". * 13th century - The port of [[Temasek]] is founded by [[Sang Nila Utama]], a prince of [[Srivijaya]]. * 1320 - the [[Mongol Empire|Mongol court]] sent a mission to obtain elephants from ''[[Long Ya Men]]'' (or ''Dragon's Tooth Strait''), believed to be [[Keppel Harbour]]. * 1330s - The Chinese traveller [[Wang Dayuan]] visits Temasek. * 1390s - [[Parameswara]], the last [[Srivijaya]]n prince, flees to Temasek. * 1414 - Temasek becomes part of the [[Sultanate of Malacca]] established by [[Parameswara (sultan)|Parameswara]]. * 1511 - Temasek becomes part of [[Sultanate of Johor]] after Malacca fell to the Portuguese. * 1613 - Portuguese burns down a trading outpost at the mouth of Singapore River. ==1800-1899== * 1819 [[January 29]] - [[Stamford Raffles]] arrives in [[Singapore]] with [[William Farquhar]] to establish a trading post for the [[British East India Company]]. * 1819 [[February 6]] - The treaty is signed between [[Sultan Hussein]] of [[Johor]], [[Temenggong]] [[Abdul Rahman (Temenggong)|Abdul Rahman]] and [[Stamford Raffles]]. Farquhar is installed as Resident of the settlement. * 1822 - Raffles drafts the [[Raffles Plan of Singapore]] to reorganise the island. * 1823 - Raffles founds the Singapore Institution, later renamed the [[Raffles Institution]]. * Dr John Crawfurd takes over as Resident. * 1824 - The [[Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824]] is signed, [[Netherlands|Dutch]] withdraw all objections to [[British Empire|British]] occupation of Singapore. * 1826 - Singapore becomes part of the British colony of [[Straits Settlements]] under the rule of the [[British East India Company|East India Company]], together with [[Malacca]] and [[Penang]]. * 1830 - Singapore comes under the Presidency of [[Bengal]] in [[India]]. * 1832 - Singapore becomes the centre of government of the [[Straits Settlements]]. * 1842 - [[St. Margaret's Girls School]] is founded by [[Maria Tarn]] Dyer, the first and oldest all girls' school in Singapore * 1843 - [[Thomas Dunman]], the first full-time [[police chief]] of Singapore, improves the police force as well as the pay and working hours of policemen. * 1844 - The [[Tan Tock Seng Hospital]] begins operation. * 1844 [[March 4]] - [[Raffles Girls' School]] is established. * 1852 - A new deep harbour called New Harbour, later known as [[Keppel Harbour]], is built. * 1858 - Singapore is placed under the hierarchy of the Government of India, remaining as part of the [[Straits Settlements]]. * 1858 - Commercial Square is renamed [[Raffles Place]]. * 1859 - The [[Singapore Botanic Gardens]] is founded. * 1867 [[April 1]] - [[Straits Settlements]] become a crown colony of [[British Empire]]. * 1869 - The [[Suez Canal]] opens, and Singapore enjoys the increase in trade * 1877 - The [[Chinese Protectorate]] is set up, and [[William A. Pickering|William Pickering]] becomes the head of it. * 1885 - [[Gan Eng Seng School]] was established at [[Telok Ayer Street]] * 1886 - [[Anglo-Chinese School]] established. * 1887 - [[Methodist Girls' School]] established. * 1887 - The [[Raffles Hotel]] is built. * 1888 - [[Henry Ridley]] becomes the director of the [[Singapore Botanic Gardens]]. * 1888 - The [[Singapore Fire Brigade]] was formed. * 1892 - The [[Tanjong Pagar Police Station]] opens, and many [[Sikh]] policemen are recruited. * 1899 - [[Singapore Chinese Girls' School]] established. ==1900-1939== * 1906 - The [[Nanyang]] branch of [[Tongmenghui]] is set up in Singapore. * 1906 - [[Tao Nan School]] established by the Hokkien Huay Kuan. * 1912 - The Singapore Harbour Board is set up. * 1915 [[February 15]]-[[February 25]] - The [[1915 Singapore Mutiny|Singapore Mutiny]] occurred as British [[Muslim]] Indian [[sepoy]]s rose up against the British. * 1917 - [[Nanyang Girls' High School]] was established by [[Tan Chor Nam]] , partially due to Dr [[Sun Yat Sen]]'s belief in education for girls. * 1919 - [[The Chinese High School]] established by [[Tan Kah Kee]]. * 1922 - Singapore becomes the main British [[naval base]] in [[East Asia]]. * 1935 - [[Catholic High School]], the first bicultural and bilingual school in Singapore, was founded. ==1940s== * 1941 [[December 7]] - In an extensive [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|three-pronged attack]], Japan opens hostilities with the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] and their colonies, Singapore suffers immense [[air raids]] from this point onwards until [[February 15]]. The [[Imperial Japanese Army]] [[Battle of Malaya|invades Malaya]]. * 1941 [[December 10]] - The British battleship [[HMS Prince of Wales (53)|HMS ''Prince of Wales'']] and battlecruiser [[HMS Repulse (1916)|HMS ''Repulse'']] are sunk by Japanese bombers. * 1942 [[January 31]] - [[British Malaya|Malaya]] falls to the Japanese and the causeway is blown up to delay Japan's advancement to Singapore. * 1942 [[February 8]] - Japanese soldiers along the Straits of Johor start firing at Singapore. * 1942 [[February 9]] - The Japanese cross the [[Strait of Johor]] by inflatable boats and land in Singapore during the [[Battle of Singapore]]. * 1942 [[February 11]] - The Japanese and Allied soldiers fight fiercely at [[Bukit Timah]]. * 1942 [[February 13]] - The Malay regiment, led by Lt. [[Adnan bin Saidi]], fight bravely against the Japanese at [[Pasir Panjang Ridge]] in the [[Battle of Pasir Panjang]]. * 1942 [[February 14]] - The Japanese have captured most of Singapore, and most of the population is crammed into the city centre. * 1942 [[February 15]] - The British surrenders and the [[Japanese Occupation of Singapore]] starts. Singapore is renamed Syonan (Light of the South). * 1942 February-March - The Japanese military police, the [[Kempei Tai]] kills an estimated between 25,000 to 50,000 people during [[Sook Ching Massacre]]. * 1944 March - [[Lim Bo Seng]] is captured by the Japanese, and dies after 3 months of torture. * 1945 [[August 14]] Japan surrenders, and there is [[anomie]] and [[looting]] for nearly a month when the British do not return immediately. * 1945 [[September 5]] - The British return to Singapore after the end of World War II and begin a military administration of the Straits Settlements. * 1946 [[April 1]] - The Straits Settlements is dissolved and Singapore becomes a separate crown colony. * 1947 May - Severe food shortage leads to record-low rice ration, causing malnutrition, disease and outbreak of crime and violence. * 1947 - A large number of [[strike action|strikes]] occur causing stoppages in public transport, public services and the harbour. * 1948 - Rubber plantations and tin mines in Malaya are destroyed by communists, and the British declares the state of [[Malayan Emergency|Emergency over Singapore and Malaya]]. * 1948 [[March 20]] - Singapore's first limited election is held, with 6 seats in the Legislative Council. The [[Singapore Progressive Party]] wins 3 seats. * 1948 [[June 18]] - [[Malayan Emergency]] begins, Singapore declared a [[State of Emergency]] a week later. * 1949 - The [[University of Malaya]] is formed following the merger of [[Raffles College]] and [[King Edward Medical College]]. ==1950s== * 1950 [[December 11]]-[[December 13]] - 18 people are killed during the [[Maria Hertogh riots]]. * 1951 - The number of elected seats is increased to 9 in the second election. * 1953 - [[Rendel Commission]] is appointed to make recommendations for Singapore's self-government. * 1954 May - Chinese school students demonstrate against the British due to the National Service proposal. See [[1954 National Service Riots|Anti-National Service Riots]] * 1955 [[May 12]] - Four people are killed during the [[Hock Lee bus riots]]. * 1955 [[April 2]] - The [[Labour Front]] wins the most seats in election and [[David Saul Marshall]] becomes the first Chief Minister as Singapore. * 1956 June - [[David Saul Marshall]] appeals to the [[United Kingdom]] for full self-government, but resigns when he fails. [[Lim Yew Hock]] takes over as Chief Minister. * 1956 October - [[Chinese Middle School riots|Riots by pro-communist Chinese school students]] occur when government closes down a student union. * 1956 - [[River Valley High School]] (formally known as Singapore Government Chinese Middle School), became the first Chinese secondary school established by the government. * 1957 March - [[Lim Yew Hock]] successfully gains full self-government for Singapore. * 1959 May - [[People's Action Party]] (PAP) wins the General Election and [[Lee Kuan Yew]] becomes the first [[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Minister]]. * 1959 - [[Encik Yusof bin Ishak]] becomes the [[Head of State]] of Singapore. * 1959 [[June 3]] - A celebration is held at the [[Padang]] for Singapore gaining full self-government. * 1959 [[December 3]] - The national anthem ''[[Majulah Singapura]]'', written by [[Zubir Said]], is presented. ==1960s== * 1960 - The [[Housing and Development Board]] is set up. * 1961 [[May 25]] - The [[Bukit Ho Swee Fire]] kills four people and destroys 2,200 attap houses. * 1961 [[May 27]] - [[Tunku Abdul Rahman]], the Prime Minister of [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]], proposes a merger between Singapore, Malaya, [[Sabah]] and [[Sarawak]]. * 1962 [[September 1]] - [[1962 Merger Referendum of Singapore|A referendum]] is held in Singapore to vote on merger with Malaysia. * 1963 February - During [[Operation Coldstore]], 107 left-wing politicians and trade unionists are arrested by [[Internal Security Department]] * 1963 [[July 9]] - The Malaysia Agreement is signed between leaders of Malaya, Singapore, [[Sabah]] and [[Sarawak]]. * 1963 [[August 31]] - In this Malaysia Solidarity Day, [[Lee Kuan Yew]] declares the Independence for Singapore. * 1963 [[September 16]] -- Malaysia is formed. [[Indonesia]] carries out its [[konfrontasi]] campaign. * 1963 [[September 21]] - The PAP wins the [[1963 Elections of Singapore|1963 State Elections]], defeating the [[Barisan Sosialis]] and [[UMNO]]. * 1964 The PAP wins one seat in the Malaysian Federal Election. [[PAP-UMNO relations|UMNO is outraged]]. * 1964 [[July 21]] - There is an ethnic riot between various Malays and Chinese, on Prophet [[Muhammad]]'s birthday, 23 people are killed. * 1965 [[March 10]] - [[Indonesia]]n [[saboteurs]] carry out the [[MacDonald House bombing]], killing three people. * 1965 May - [[Lee Kuan Yew]] begins campaigning for a [[Malaysian Malaysia]] * 1965 [[August 7]] - Singapore and Malaysia sign the separation agreement. * 1965 [[August 9]] - The Malaysian Parliament votes to expel Singapore from the Federation; Singapore becomes independent after separating from Malaysia. * 1965 [[September 21]] - Singapore is admitted into the [[United Nations]] as the 117th member. * 1965 October - Singapore becomes the 22nd member of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]. * 1965 [[December 22]] - Constitutional Amendment Act is passed and [[Yusof bin Ishak]] becomes the first [[President of Singapore]]. * 1967 [[February 15]] - The Civilian Memorial is unveiled at the [[Kranji War Cemetery]] * 1967 [[March 14]] - The [[National Service]] bill is passed in the [[Parliament of Singapore|parliament]]. * 1967 [[March 28]] - Registrations for [[National service in Singapore|national service]] begins at the [[Central Manpower Base]]. * 1967 [[June 12]] - The issue of the first [[Singapore Dollar]]. * 1967 July - The first batch of the army is drafted for [[National service in Singapore|national service]]. * 1967 [[August 8]]- Singapore is the founding member of the [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations]] (ASEAN). * 1968 January - [[United Kingdom|Britain]] announces its intention to withdraw its armed forces from Singapore. * 1968 April - The PAP wins all seats in the [[Singapore general election, 1968|1968 General Election]], which is boycotted by [[Barisan Sosialis]]. * 1969 [[May 31]] - The [[1969 Race Riots of Singapore]] broke out after growing tension of the [[May 13 Incident]] in [[Malaysia]] spilled over to [[Singapore]]. ==1970s== * 1970 May - The [[National Junior College]], Singapore's first junior college, opens. * 1971 [[January 2]] - Dr [[Benjamin Henry Sheares]] becomes the second [[President of Singapore]]. * 1971 [[October 31]] - The last British military forces withdraws from Singapore. * 1972 [[September 2]] - The PAP wins the [[Singapore general election, 1972|1972 General Election]]. * 1972 - The [[Singapore Airlines]] is formed. * 1973 - The first [[Chingay Parade]] is held in Singapore. * 1973 - The construction of the [[National Stadium, Singapore|National Stadium]] is completed. * 1973 - The [[Presidential Council for Minority Rights]] is set up to ensure minority would not be discriminated. * 1974 - [[Hwa Chong Junior College]], Singapore's first government-aided junior college and the premiere institution of the nation, was established. * 1974 [[January 31]] - [[Laju incident]]: [[Japanese Red Army]] bombs petroleum tanks at [[Pulau Bukom]] and hijacks a ferry boat. * 1976 - The PAP wins all 69 seats in the [[Singapore general election, 1976|1976 General Election]]. * 1978 - [[October 12]] - [[Spyros disaster]] * 1979 - Singapore becomes the world's second busiest port in terms of shipping tonnage. ==1980s== * 1980 - The [[People's Action Party|PAP]] wins all 75 seats in the [[Singapore general election, 1980|1980 General Election]]. * 1981 [[July 1]] - [[Singapore Changi Airport]] starts operation. * 1981 [[October 24]] - [[C V Devan Nair]] becomes the third [[President of Singapore]]. * 1981 [[October 31]] - [[Workers' Party of Singapore]]'s [[Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam]] elected into Parliament, breaking a 16 years PAP monopoly of the House. * 1982 - The [[Courtesy Campaign]] and the [[Civil Defence Programme]] are launched. * 1983 [[29 January]] - Eniwetok, a Panamanian-registered oil rig, hits the [[Singapore Cable Car]] system, sending two cabins plunging into the sea and killing seven people. * 1984 - The PAP wins the [[Singapore general election, 1984|1984 General Election]] while two members of the opposition parties are elected as members of [[Parliament of Singapore|parliament]]. Three PAP women MPs are also elected, ending a 16 years absence of women representation in Parliament. * 1984 - [[Non-Constituency Member of Parliament]] was introduced. * 1985 [[September 2]] - [[Wee Kim Wee]] becomes the fourth [[President of Singapore]]. * 1986 [[March 15]] - The [[Hotel New World disaster|Hotel New World]] collapses, killing 33 people. * 1987 [[May 21]] - 16 people were arrested during [[Operation Spectrum]] and detained under the [[Internal Security Act (Singapore)|Internal Security Act]]. Another six were arrested on June 20. * 1988 [[September 3]] - The PAP wins the [[Singapore general election, 1988|1988 General Election]] and [[group representation constituency|group representation constituencies]] (GRC)s are introduced. ==1990s== * 1990 [[July 6]] - The [[East West MRT Line|East West Line]] of the [[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|Mass Rapid Transit]] (MRT) is completed. * 1990 [[November 22]] - [[Singapore Changi Airport]] Terminal 2 begins operation. * 1990 [[November 28]] - [[Goh Chok Tong]] becomes the second [[Prime Minister of Singapore]]. * 1991 [[March 26]] - Four [[Pakistan]]is hijack [[Singapore Airlines Flight 117]] and demand the release of [[Pakistan Peoples Party]] members from Pakistani jails. * 1991 [[March 27]] - Members of the [[Singapore Special Operations Force]] storm into [[Singapore Airlines Flight 117]], killing all hijackers and freeing all passengers and crew members. * 1993 [[September 1]] - [[Ong Teng Cheong]] becomes the first directly-elected President. * 1994 [[May 5]] - American teenager [[Michael P. Fay]] is convicted and caned for [[vandalism]]. * 1996 - The [[Parliament of Singapore|parliament]] passes the [[Maintenance of Parents]] law, a private member's bill introduced by [[Woon Cheong Ming Walter]]. * 1997 [[December 19]] - [[Silkair Flight 185]] crashes into Musi River near [[Palembang]], [[Sumatra]], killing all 104 people onboard. * 1998 [[January 15]] - Singapore and [[United States]] announces agreement for US ships to use a planned $35 million naval base from 2000. * 1998 September - "The Singapore Story", the first volume of [[Lee Kuan Yew]]'s memoirs is published * 1999 - [[Sellapan Ramanathan]] becomes the President of Singapore * 1999 - Singapore slips into recession during the [[Asian financial crisis]]. ==2000s== * 2000 [[September 1]] - [[Speaker's Corner]] is launched at [[Hong Lim Park]] * 2000 [[October 31]] - [[Singapore Airlines Flight 006]] crashes during take-off in [[Chiang Kai Shek International Airport]], killing 83 people. *2001–2003 - Economic recession in Singapore. * 2001 January - A pipeline feeding gas to Singapore from [[Indonesia]]'s [[Natuna field]] in [[South China Sea]] opens. * 2001 [[November 3]] - The [[People's Action Party|PAP]] wins 82 of 84 seats in the [[Singapore general election, 2001|2001 General Election]]. * 2001 [[December 9]] - 15 suspected militants of [[Jemaah Islamiah]] are arrested for alleged bomb plot. * 2001 [[December 27]] - [[Typhoon Vamei]], a rare typhoon that occurs only once in 100 to 400 years, hits Singapore. * 2002 [[January 13]] - Singapore and [[Japan]] sign the [[Japan-Singapore Economic Agreement]]. * 2003 April - [[SARS]] virus outbreak in Singapore and other parts of Asia. * 2003 [[May 6]] - Singapore and [[United States]] sign the [[United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement]] (USS-FTA). * 2003 [[October 29]] - A major research center [[Biopolis]] opens. * 2004 [[April 20]] - A section of [[Nicoll Highway collapse]]s, killing 4 people. * 2004 - [[National Service]] was reduced from two and half years to two years. * 2004 [[August 12]] - [[Lee Hsien Loong]] becomes the third [[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Minister]]. * 2005 [[January 15]] - Singapore and [[Malaysia]] settle dispute over land reclamation work. * 2005 [[April 18]] - [[Singapore government]] approves plan to legalise [[casino]] gambling and build two [[Integrated Resort]]s. * 2005 [[July 8]] - In the aftermath of the [[7 July]] [[2005]] London bombings, Transport Minister [[Yeo Cheow Tong]] announces plan to set up a new [[Police MRT Unit]] to enhance the security of [[Transportation in Singapore|Singapore's public transport]]. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/157138/1/.html (CNA)] * 2005 [[August 17]] - [[S R Nathan]] returns for his second term as [[President of Singapore|President]], following a walkover in the [[Singapore presidential election, 2005]]. * 2005 [[August 27]] - White Elephant Incident at [[Buangkok MRT Station]]. * 2006 [[May 6]] - The [[People's Action Party|PAP]], led by [[Lee Hsien Loong]], wins 82 of 84 seats in the [[Singapore general election, 2006|2006 General Election]]. * 2008 [[January 9]] - [[Singapore Changi Airport]] opens its third passenger terminal. ==See also== {{portal|Singapore|Singapore coa.svg}} *[[List of years in Singapore]] ==External links== * [http://www.rgs.edu.sg/aec/timeline.html Timeline of Singapore's History], compiled by students of [[Raffles Girls' School]]. {{Singapore topics}} [[Category:Years in Singapore| ]] [[Category:National timelines|Singapore]] [[Category:History of Singapore]] [[Category:Singapore-related lists]]