We celebrated the first NDP at the Padang in 1966. At that time the memory of Singapore being evicted from Malaysia was still fresh. Some Malaysian politicians still could not face the reality that Singapore is an independent country. From time to time they still said things that still hurt our feelings. On our first independent anniversary from Malaysia, the people of Singapore wanted to stand solid behind our government and proved that Singapore could stand alone and make it. More than 20 000 participated in the Parade. I was with the Singapore Teachers' Union. Before the big day, we worked real hard for many Saturday afternoons, mastering the footdrills. The command was in Malay and it was the first time that most of the participants had heard of it. The People's Defence Force NCOs tried their best to get us to practise the footdrills till we succeeded. August 9. 1966 came. We woke up early and went to the different pick up points. Buses took us the the Padang where we proudly formed as a contingent. We marched in accompaniment of a school band. We dispersed at the same place where the military columns had done.
In some other years, the Parade was decentralised. At other years it was held at the Singapore National Stadium. When the National Stadium made way for the Sports Hub, the Floating Platform was built. In 2007, we held our 42nd National Day Parade there. I was there as an audience to find out how much National Day Parade has changed since it started in 1966.
Majulah Singapura!
Majulah Singapura!
