âšď¸ Skipped - page is already crawled
| Filter | Status | Condition | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTP status | PASS | download_http_code = 200 | HTTP 200 |
| Age cutoff | FAIL | download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH | 7.2 months ago |
| History drop | FAIL | isNull(history_drop_reason) | tooold |
| Spam/ban | PASS | fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0 | ml_spam_score=0 |
| Canonical | PASS | meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed | Not set |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URL | https://www.newsweek.com/singapore-celebrates-anniversary-361293 |
| Last Crawled | 2025-09-21 22:56:16 (7 months ago) |
| First Indexed | 2018-07-17 00:41:16 (7 years ago) |
| HTTP Status Code | 200 |
| Content | |
| Meta Title | Singapore Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary - Newsweek |
| Meta Description | The ruling party is expected to exploit the occasion by calling an election next month. |
| Meta Canonical | null |
| Boilerpipe Text | SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Fireworks lit up Singapore's sky as crowds celebrated the city state's 50th anniversary on Sunday, an occasion of national pride the ruling party is expected to exploit by calling an election next month. An island of 5.5 million people that sits just north of the equator, Singapore was a post-colonial backwater when it gained independence from Malaysia in 1965. It is now a global business hub, and one of the richest countries in the world. The highlight of the day's celebration, a nearly three-hour long parade in the evening, showcased military vehicles, performances by the island nation's different ethnic groups and an aerial show by 50 military aircraft. A 26,000-strong audience gathered at the central stage, along with millions watching on television. It is the second time this year that Singaporeans have come together to reflect on the national success. The first was after the death of the first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, in late March. "At 50 years, as we stand at a high base camp, we look back and marvel how far we have come,... " Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the son of Lee Kuan Yew, said in a televised speech on the eve of the national day. "From this base camp, we can also look forward to new peaks ahead. The journey ahead is uncharted. But we must press on, because we aspire to do better for ourselves and our children." He spoke at the Victoria Concert Hall, where his father launched the People's Action Party in 1954. The party has ruled Singapore since independence. Regional leaders attending the parade included Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, China's Vice President Li Yuanchao and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss. RED DOT The official logo for the celebration is a red dot, a symbol of pride and defiance since the 1990s, when an Indonesian leader reportedly called Singapore "a little red dot" on the map. The image, with "SG50" in white characters, is ubiquitous, adorning banners, buses, cakes and a host of goods in shops. A recording of Lee Kuan Yew reading the Proclamation of Independence, the document that announced Singapore's separation from Malaysia, was played on radio and television channels at 9 a.m. Prime Minister Lee is widely expected to call the next election as early as September. His party suffered its worst-ever showing in the last parliamentary election, in 2011, with voters discontent over a widening wealth gap, sky-rocketing property prices and an influx of foreign workers. Political analysts expect Lee's party to win more votes this time, thanks in part to the after-glow of the anniversary celebrations and in part to government efforts to address issues irking the public. Still, when the banners are taken down, Singapore will return to debates over how to keep the economy growing while combating a low birth rate, anger over prices and a backlash over many years of liberal immigration policies. |
| Markdown | - [Nation](https://www.newsweek.com/us)
- [News](https://www.newsweek.com/news)
- [Politics](https://www.newsweek.com/politics)
- [Tech](https://www.newsweek.com/technology)
- [Fact Check](https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check)
- [Personal Finance](https://www.newsweek.com/personal-finance)
- [Automotive](https://www.newsweek.com/autos)
- [Sports](https://www.newsweek.com/sports)
- [Better Workplaces](https://www.newsweek.com/better-workplaces)
- [World](https://www.newsweek.com/world)
- [Russia-Ukraine](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/russia)
- [Middle East](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/middle-east)
- [China And Asia](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/china)
- [Better Planet](https://www.newsweek.com/better-planet)
- [All World News](https://www.newsweek.com/world)
- [Lifestyle](https://www.newsweek.com/life)
- [Family & Parenting](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/parenting)
- [Entertainment](https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment)
- [Travel](https://www.newsweek.com/travel)
- [Pets](https://www.newsweek.com/pets)
- [Relationships](https://www.newsweek.com/relationships)
- [Science](https://www.newsweek.com/tech-science)
- [Health](https://www.newsweek.com/health)
- [Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion)
- [My Turn](https://www.newsweek.com/my-turn)
- [All Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion)
- [Rankings](https://rankings.newsweek.com/)
- [Health](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/health)
- [Finance](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/finance)
- [Products](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/products-services)
- [Education](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/education)
- [Workplaces](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/work)
- [Corporate Responsibility](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/corporate-responsibility)
- [All Rankings](https://rankings.newsweek.com/)
- [Connect](https://www.newsweek.com/)
- [Newsletters](https://www.newsweek.com/preference-center)
- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Newsweek)
- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/newsweek)
- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/newsweek)
- [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@newsweek)
- [Twitter/X](https://x.com/newsweek)
- [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/user/newsweek/)
- [Announcements](https://www.newsweek.com/announcements)
- [More](https://www.newsweek.com/)
- [Unconventional](https://www.newsweek.com/unconventional)
- [Events](https://events.newsweek.com/)
- [Podcasts](https://www.newsweek.com/podcasts)
- [Vantage](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/vantage)
- [Readers Choice](https://www.newsweek.com/readerschoice)
- [Newsweek.AI](https://www.newsweek.com/nw-ai)
Subscribe
Sign In
- Nation
[News](https://www.newsweek.com/news)[Politics](https://www.newsweek.com/politics)[Tech](https://www.newsweek.com/technology)[Fact Check](https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check)[Personal Finance](https://www.newsweek.com/personal-finance)[Automotive](https://www.newsweek.com/autos)[Sports](https://www.newsweek.com/sports)[Better Workplaces](https://www.newsweek.com/better-workplaces)
- World
[Russia-Ukraine](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/russia)[Middle East](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/middle-east)[China And Asia](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/china)[Better Planet](https://www.newsweek.com/better-planet)[All World News](https://www.newsweek.com/world)
- Lifestyle
[Family & Parenting](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/parenting)[Entertainment](https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment)[Travel](https://www.newsweek.com/travel)[Pets](https://www.newsweek.com/pets)[Relationships](https://www.newsweek.com/relationships)[Science](https://www.newsweek.com/tech-science)[Health](https://www.newsweek.com/health)
- Opinion
[My Turn](https://www.newsweek.com/my-turn)[All Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion)
- Rankings
[Health](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/health)[Finance](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/finance)[Products](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/products-services)[Education](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/education)[Workplaces](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/work)[Corporate Responsibility](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/corporate-responsibility)[All Rankings](https://rankings.newsweek.com/)
- Connect
[Newsletters](https://www.newsweek.com/preference-center)[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Newsweek)[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/newsweek)[YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/newsweek)[TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@newsweek)[Twitter/X](https://x.com/newsweek)[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/user/newsweek/)[Announcements](https://www.newsweek.com/announcements)
- More
[Unconventional](https://www.newsweek.com/unconventional)[Events](https://events.newsweek.com/)[Podcasts](https://www.newsweek.com/podcasts)[Vantage](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/vantage)[Readers Choice](https://www.newsweek.com/readerschoice)[Newsweek.AI](https://www.newsweek.com/nw-ai)
[World](https://www.newsweek.com/world)
[Singapore](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/singapore)
News Article
# Singapore Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary
***
Published
Aug 09, 2015 at 01:16 PM EDT
updated
Apr 12, 2016 at 06:16 PM EDT

...

By Reuters
Share
[Newsweek is a Trust Project member](https://www.newsweek.com/editorial-guidelines)
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Fireworks lit up Singapore's sky as crowds celebrated the city state's 50th anniversary on Sunday, an occasion of national pride the ruling party is expected to exploit by calling an election next month.
An island of 5.5 million people that sits just north of the equator, Singapore was a post-colonial backwater when it gained independence from Malaysia in 1965. It is now a global business hub, and one of the richest countries in the world.
The highlight of the day's celebration, a nearly three-hour long parade in the evening, showcased military vehicles, performances by the island nation's different ethnic groups and an aerial show by 50 military aircraft. A 26,000-strong audience gathered at the central stage, along with millions watching on television.
It is the second time this year that Singaporeans have come together to reflect on the national success. The first was after the death of the first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, in late March.
"At 50 years, as we stand at a high base camp, we look back and marvel how far we have come,... " Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the son of Lee Kuan Yew, said in a televised speech on the eve of the national day.
"From this base camp, we can also look forward to new peaks ahead. The journey ahead is uncharted. But we must press on, because we aspire to do better for ourselves and our children."
He spoke at the Victoria Concert Hall, where his father launched the People's Action Party in 1954. The party has ruled Singapore since independence.
Regional leaders attending the parade included Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, China's Vice President Li Yuanchao and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss.
**RED DOT**
The official logo for the celebration is a red dot, a symbol of pride and defiance since the 1990s, when an Indonesian leader reportedly called Singapore "a little red dot" on the map. The image, with "SG50" in white characters, is ubiquitous, adorning banners, buses, cakes and a host of goods in shops.
A recording of Lee Kuan Yew reading the Proclamation of Independence, the document that announced Singapore's separation from Malaysia, was played on radio and television channels at 9 a.m.
Prime Minister Lee is widely expected to call the next election as early as September. His party suffered its worst-ever showing in the last parliamentary election, in 2011, with voters discontent over a widening wealth gap, sky-rocketing property prices and an influx of foreign workers.
Political analysts expect Lee's party to win more votes this time, thanks in part to the after-glow of the anniversary celebrations and in part to government efforts to address issues irking the public.
Still, when the banners are taken down, Singapore will return to debates over how to keep the economy growing while combating a low birth rate, anger over prices and a backlash over many years of liberal immigration policies.
[Request Reprint & Licensing](https://www.newsweek.com/contact)
Submit Correction
[View Editorial & AI Guidelines](https://www.newsweek.com/editorial-guidelines)
## Recommended For You
## Related Podcasts
## Top Stories
[](https://www.newsweek.com/erika-kirk-husband-charlies-killer-i-forgive-him-2133437)
[News](https://www.newsweek.com/news)
[Erika Kirk on Husband Charlieâs Killer: âI Forgive Himâ](https://www.newsweek.com/erika-kirk-husband-charlies-killer-i-forgive-him-2133437)
1 min. read
[](https://www.newsweek.com/musk-trump-chat-warmly-first-meeting-since-summer-fallout-2133414)
[News](https://www.newsweek.com/news)
[Musk and Trump Chat Warmly in First Meeting Since Summer Fallout](https://www.newsweek.com/musk-trump-chat-warmly-first-meeting-since-summer-fallout-2133414)
3 min. read
[](https://www.newsweek.com/two-killed-five-injured-indiana-nightclub-shooting-2133290)
[News](https://www.newsweek.com/news)
[Two Killed, Five Injured in Indiana ShootingâPolice](https://www.newsweek.com/two-killed-five-injured-indiana-nightclub-shooting-2133290)
3 min. read
[](https://www.newsweek.com/uk-canada-australia-recognize-palestinian-state-2133225)
[News](https://www.newsweek.com/news)
[UK, Canada, Australia Recognize Palestinian State](https://www.newsweek.com/uk-canada-australia-recognize-palestinian-state-2133225)
7 min. read
[](https://www.newsweek.com/exclusive-james-talarico-texas-nonbinary-god-joe-rogans-support-2132730)
[U.S.](https://www.newsweek.com/us)
[Exclusive: James Talarico on Texas, âNonbinaryâ God and Joe Roganâs Support](https://www.newsweek.com/exclusive-james-talarico-texas-nonbinary-god-joe-rogans-support-2132730)
27 min. read
[](https://www.newsweek.com/phone-ban-surge-library-books-kentucky-bell-bell-2132524)
[U.S.](https://www.newsweek.com/us)
[Students Return to Books as Schools Ban Phones](https://www.newsweek.com/phone-ban-surge-library-books-kentucky-bell-bell-2132524)
9 min. read
[Trending](https://www.newsweek.com/)
[](https://www.newsweek.com/green-card-update-applicants-receive-major-boost-2129967)
Green Card
[Green Card Update: Applicants Receive Major Boost](https://www.newsweek.com/green-card-update-applicants-receive-major-boost-2129967)
3 min. read
[](https://www.newsweek.com/lance-twiggs-tyler-robinson-partner-social-media-2129970)
Charlie kirk
[What Lance Twiggsâ Social Media Reveals About Tyler Robinsonâs Trans Partner](https://www.newsweek.com/lance-twiggs-tyler-robinson-partner-social-media-2129970)
4 min. read
[](https://www.newsweek.com/ice-detains-green-card-dad-brain-tumor-2130636)
Immigration
[ICE Detains Green Card Holder Dad with Tumor After 30 Years in USâAttorney](https://www.newsweek.com/ice-detains-green-card-dad-brain-tumor-2130636)
4 min. read
[](https://www.newsweek.com/tyler-robinson-roommate-lance-twiggs-charlie-kirk-texts-2130798)
Breaking News
[Tyler Robinsonâs Full Text Exchange with Roommate Lance Twiggs Revealed](https://www.newsweek.com/tyler-robinson-roommate-lance-twiggs-charlie-kirk-texts-2130798)
8 min. read
[](https://www.newsweek.com/trey-reed-college-student-death-mississippi-2130545)
Mississippi
[Who Is Demartravion âTreyâ Reed? What We Know About College Studentâs Death](https://www.newsweek.com/trey-reed-college-student-death-mississippi-2130545)
3 min. read
[Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion)
[](https://www.newsweek.com/grifters-desecrating-charlie-kirks-memory-could-implode-maga-opinion-2132253)
[Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion)
[Grifters Desecrating Charlie Kirkâs Memory Could Implode MAGA \| Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/grifters-desecrating-charlie-kirks-memory-could-implode-maga-opinion-2132253)
6 min. read
[](https://www.newsweek.com/charlie-kirks-christianity-was-christianity-american-founding-2131325)
[Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion)
[Charlie Kirkâs Christianity Was the Christianity of the American Founding](https://www.newsweek.com/charlie-kirks-christianity-was-christianity-american-founding-2131325)
6 min. read
[](https://www.newsweek.com/its-ok-feel-nothing-charlie-kirks-killing-america-needs-more-that-opinion-2131443)
[Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion)
[Itâs OK To Feel Nothing On Charlie Kirkâs Killing. America Needs More Than That \| Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/its-ok-feel-nothing-charlie-kirks-killing-america-needs-more-that-opinion-2131443)
5 min. read
[](https://www.newsweek.com/agriculture-secretary-brooke-l-rollins-charlie-kirk-existential-threat-america-opinion-2131605)
[Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion)
[Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins: Charlie Kirk and the Existential Threat to America \| Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/agriculture-secretary-brooke-l-rollins-charlie-kirk-existential-threat-america-opinion-2131605)
5 min. read
[](https://www.newsweek.com/defense-jimmy-kimmels-stupid-words-opinion-2132586)
[Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion)
[In Defense of Jimmy Kimmelâs Stupid Words \| Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/defense-jimmy-kimmels-stupid-words-opinion-2132586)
4 min. read
[Trending](https://www.newsweek.com/)

01
[Green Card Update: Applicants Receive Major Boost](https://www.newsweek.com/green-card-update-applicants-receive-major-boost-2129967)
3 min read
02
[What Lance Twiggsâ Social Media Reveals About Tyler Robinsonâs Trans Partner](https://www.newsweek.com/lance-twiggs-tyler-robinson-partner-social-media-2129970)
4 min read
03
[ICE Detains Green Card Holder Dad with Tumor After 30 Years in USâAttorney](https://www.newsweek.com/ice-detains-green-card-dad-brain-tumor-2130636)
4 min read
04
[Tyler Robinsonâs Full Text Exchange with Roommate Lance Twiggs Revealed](https://www.newsweek.com/tyler-robinson-roommate-lance-twiggs-charlie-kirk-texts-2130798)
8 min read
05
[Who Is Demartravion âTreyâ Reed? What We Know About College Studentâs Death](https://www.newsweek.com/trey-reed-college-student-death-mississippi-2130545)
3 min read
[Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion)
[Grifters Desecrating Charlie Kirkâs Memory Could Implode MAGA \| Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/grifters-desecrating-charlie-kirks-memory-could-implode-maga-opinion-2132253)
By Josh Hammer

[Charlie Kirkâs Christianity Was the Christianity of the American Founding](https://www.newsweek.com/charlie-kirks-christianity-was-christianity-american-founding-2131325)
By Josh Hammer

[Itâs OK To Feel Nothing On Charlie Kirkâs Killing. America Needs More Than That \| Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/its-ok-feel-nothing-charlie-kirks-killing-america-needs-more-that-opinion-2131443)
By Stephen Kent

[Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins: Charlie Kirk and the Existential Threat to America \| Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/agriculture-secretary-brooke-l-rollins-charlie-kirk-existential-threat-america-opinion-2131605)
By Brooke L. Rollins

[In Defense of Jimmy Kimmelâs Stupid Words \| Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/defense-jimmy-kimmels-stupid-words-opinion-2132586)
By Jesse Edwards

### sections
- [Nation](https://www.newsweek.com/us)
- [World](https://www.newsweek.com/world)
- [Lifestyle](https://www.newsweek.com/life)
- [Health](https://www.newsweek.com/health)
- [Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion)
- [Rankings](https://rankings.newsweek.com/)
### company
- [About Us](https://www.newsweek.com/about-newsweek)
- [Masthead](https://www.newsweek.com/about-newsweek#masthead)
- [Careers](https://www.newsweek.com/careers)
- [Diversity & Inclusion](https://www.newsweek.com/diversity-report)
- [Mission Statement](https://www.newsweek.com/mission-statement)
- [Leadership](https://www.newsweek.com/leadership)
### editions
- [U.S. Edition](https://www.newsweek.com/)
- [ćĽćŹ](https://www.newsweekjapan.jp/)
- [Polska](https://www.newsweek.pl/)
- [România](https://newsweek.ro/)
### contact
- [Advertise](https://advertising.newsweek.com/)
- [Corrections](https://www.newsweek.com/corrections)
- [Announcements](https://www.newsweek.com/announcements)
- [Press Center](https://www.newsweek.com/press-center-image-gallery)
- [Contact Us](https://www.newsweek.com/contact)
### terms of use
- [Cookie Policy](https://www.newsweek.com/cookie-policy)
- [Copyright](https://www.newsweek.com/copyright)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.newsweek.com/privacy-policy)
- [Terms & Conditions](https://www.newsweek.com/terms-service)
- [Terms of Sale](https://www.newsweek.com/terms-sale)
- [Privacy Settings](https://www.newsweek.com/singapore-celebrates-anniversary-361293)
### sections
- [Nation](https://www.newsweek.com/us)
- [World](https://www.newsweek.com/world)
- [Lifestyle](https://www.newsweek.com/life)
- [Health](https://www.newsweek.com/health)
- [Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion)
- [Rankings](https://rankings.newsweek.com/)
### company
- [About Us](https://www.newsweek.com/about-newsweek)
- [Masthead](https://www.newsweek.com/about-newsweek#masthead)
- [Careers](https://www.newsweek.com/careers)
- [Diversity & Inclusion](https://www.newsweek.com/diversity-report)
- [Mission Statement](https://www.newsweek.com/mission-statement)
- [Leadership](https://www.newsweek.com/leadership)
### editions
- [U.S. Edition](https://www.newsweek.com/)
- [ćĽćŹ](https://www.newsweekjapan.jp/)
- [Polska](https://www.newsweek.pl/)
- [România](https://newsweek.ro/)
### contact
- [Advertise](https://advertising.newsweek.com/)
- [Corrections](https://www.newsweek.com/corrections)
- [Announcements](https://www.newsweek.com/announcements)
- [Press Center](https://www.newsweek.com/press-center-image-gallery)
- [Contact Us](https://www.newsweek.com/contact)
### terms of use
- [Cookie Policy](https://www.newsweek.com/cookie-policy)
- [Copyright](https://www.newsweek.com/copyright)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.newsweek.com/privacy-policy)
- [Terms & Conditions](https://www.newsweek.com/terms-service)
- [Terms of Sale](https://www.newsweek.com/terms-sale)
- Privacy Settings
Š 2025 Newsweek Digital LLC |
| Readable Markdown | null |
| ML Classification | |
| ML Categories | null |
| ML Page Types | null |
| ML Intent Types | null |
| Content Metadata | |
| Language | en |
| Author | null |
| Publish Time | not set |
| Original Publish Time | 2018-07-17 00:41:16 (7 years ago) |
| Republished | No |
| Word Count (Total) | 1,167 |
| Word Count (Content) | 486 |
| Links | |
| External Links | 14 |
| Internal Links | 74 |
| Technical SEO | |
| Meta Nofollow | No |
| Meta Noarchive | No |
| JS Rendered | No |
| Redirect Target | null |
| Performance | |
| Download Time (ms) | 1,620 |
| TTFB (ms) | 1,564 |
| Download Size (bytes) | 145,409 |
| Shard | 55 (laksa) |
| Root Hash | 10153935897910600055 |
| Unparsed URL | com,newsweek!www,/singapore-celebrates-anniversary-361293 s443 |