Stories
E-books
Action: Santa Catarina
The year is 1603. Temasek is long gone, and Singapura has become home to some fishermen and the occasional buccaneer. While the Europeans were no strangers to the region with the Portuguese presence in Melaka, the arrival of new seafarers from a faraway place threatens to shake things up.
E-books
Action: The Sacking of Singapura
A kitten boards the ship of Parameswara, a prince on the run from Majapahit forces after his failed uprising. Leaving behind the beautiful lands of Nusantara, they end up on the shores of Temasek, where the prince turns his ambition towards the unsuspecting host and ruler, Sangesinga.
E-books
Origin Stories (Story Documenters)
Behind each family name and business brand is a story of strength, adaptability, and resilience. From egg tarts to medicated oils, the families and businesses featured tell of the diversity of migrant beginnings and memories that make up our collective history. Delve into ocean crossings, and the legacies of illustrious forebears through stories collected by the Singapore Bicentennial’s volunteer story documenters.
E-books
Illustrated: A Tale of Four Unlikely Friends
A magnificent pheasant performs an age-old ritual of a mating dance, but falls into a water trap, coming close to drowning. Will his booming call for help attract the attention of his friends? This book is populated by beautiful creatures from The William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings.
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E-books
1299: The Ghost King
Sikander Shah watches as enemy soldiers raze his city to the ground. As blood and fire fill the air, he must make the most important decision of his life—surrender or fight to the death. A fictional account reimagining the fall of Singapura and its last king.
E-books
1299: The Myths of the Lettered Native
The Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals) is often hailed as a seminal text for the world of Malay literature. What do its myths and narrative arcs within, including that of legendary strongman Badang, tell us about the history of early Singapore? Discover the value of this historical manuscript in this e-book by Nazry Bahrawi.
E-books
1819: Hope
Aditya left her village in Java to join her husband in the bustling new port town of Singapura. Tragedy strikes, and she is left to face the biggest choice she will ever make. Discover colonial Singapore through the perspective of a female immigrant in this tale of hope and faith by Melissa De Silva.
Personalities
5 women who shaped Singapore
Many women in our history have risen above the call of duty. Committed to their causes, these inspiring women improved the lives of various communities and made their mark on Singapore.
Interactive Book
700years.sg
Re-live Singapore’s seven centuries of colourful tales, from discovery to independence! Watch history come alive through the imagined social media feeds of some of the most pivotal characters across different periods of our history, and uncover the various perspectives of major events, people and places in our seven-hundred year journey.
E-books
Action: Santa Catarina
The year is 1603. Temasek is long gone, and Singapura has become home to some fishermen and the occasional buccaneer. While the Europeans were no strangers to the region with the Portuguese presence in Melaka, the arrival of new seafarers from a faraway place threatens to shake things up.
E-books
Action: The Aceh Attack of 1613
Two kingdoms vie for power over the Malaccan Straits: The Johor Sultanate under Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah III, a rising power in the east born from the ashes of Melaka, and the Aceh Sultanate led by Iskandar Muda, made mighty by dint of its military and wealth from trade.
E-books
Action: The Fall of Melaka
Battles, betrayal, voyages and elephants. As one great city rises, another falls. This story follows the Portuguese conquest of 1511 of Melaka, which sparked off a chain of events leading to Singapore’s fortuitous growth.
E-books
Action: The Mandai Inferno
A farmer joins Dalforce, a volunteer army formed to fight against invading Japanese forces during World War II. Follow his poignant journey as he sets off for training and gets deployed in the mangrove swamps of Woodlands. Written and illustrated by Weng Pixin, this action comic spins a story around the battle at Kranji Beach in 1942.
E-books
Action: The Sacking of Singapura
A kitten boards the ship of Parameswara, a prince on the run from Majapahit forces after his failed uprising. Leaving behind the beautiful lands of Nusantara, they end up on the shores of Temasek, where the prince turns his ambition towards the unsuspecting host and ruler, Sangesinga.
Animations
Discover Our History Through Animation
The Bicentennial Trilogy features three short films created by the award-winning local animation studio Robot Playground Media. Inspired by the lesser-known stories of Singapore’s history, these shorts reimagine the landscapes, colours and events of our rich and vibrant past. Here, we share more about the historical references of the first two films “1299” and “1819”, based on two pivotal milestones in Singapore’s 700-year journey.
E-books
Find Your Place in History: Central
Life in its vitality and variety played itself out in Central Singapore: from the bustle of trade and commerce at the mouth of the Singapore River and Kallang Basin, to the jade hills of Bishan, which was home to both the living and the dead.
E-books
Find Your Place in History: City Centre
Two historical buildings stand in our city centre—Istana Kampong Glam was the Sultan’s palace and the heart of a port town with roots dating back to the 14th century; Thian Hock Keng was a later addition, a Hokkien temple whose building style has not stopped evolving since 1839.
E-books
Find Your Place in History: North East
Before Mandai Zoo, Ah Meng and Inuka, there was Ponggol Zoo, William Basapa aka “Animal Man” and Apay the tiger. In the face of World War II, this zoo in the North East had to close and many of its animals were shot. This E-book recounts this and other disappearances.
E-books
Find Your Place in History: North West
The first road leading up to Bukit Timah Hill was completed in 1843. By the turn of the century, in 1903, the North West of Singapore was served by an inland railway line. These were days when boats used by the Orang Laut co-existed with mosquito and trolley buses.
E-books
Find Your Place in History: South East
Before the East Coast Reclamation project, coconut trees lined Bedok Road. A Katong-Bedok bus service plied coastal roads, servicing the kampongs and estates in the South East. Malay and Chinese fishermen lived off the sea, and farmers grew produce that they brought to markets like Chai Chee.
E-books
Find Your Place in History: South West
The changes in the South West came in many forms – colonialists who impacted the livelihood of seafarers along the coastline, the shifting power base of the Temenggong in Telok Blangah, and the swamps of Jurong into a successful industrial estate.
Places
From farm to future: The transformation of Singapore’s South West
When we look at the South West of Singapore today, with its housing estates and industrial
structures, it is hard to imagine that these places were once farms or plantations. Reflect on its rich and storied past, and discover how much the area has evolved.
Places
From sand to stone: Discovering Singapore’s North East
The North East of Singapore that we know today is an urban, modern place. We have towering housing units dotting this populous landscape and bustling towns teeming with activity. It is certainly hard to imagine rural villages, kampongs, farms and plantations in place of all this a little under a hundred years ago. Discover the interesting and lesser-known stories of its most famous neighbourhoods.
E-books
Future: Singapore 2050
2050, Singapore: Climate-regulating clothes, flying driverless vehicles, and virtual concierge animal companions. In this world, which she barely recognises, Popo stays at home and watches re-runs of Game of Thrones. Enter Ollie her granddaughter and her genius scientist of a daughter, who take her out on an unforgettable birthday excursion.
E-books
Illustrated: A Tale of Four Unlikely Friends
A magnificent pheasant performs an age-old ritual of a mating dance, but falls into a water trap, coming close to drowning. Will his booming call for help attract the attention of his friends? This book is populated by beautiful creatures from The William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings.
E-books
Origin Stories (Story Documenters)
Behind each family name and business brand is a story of strength, adaptability, and resilience. From egg tarts to medicated oils, the families and businesses featured tell of the diversity of migrant beginnings and memories that make up our collective history. Delve into ocean crossings, and the legacies of illustrious forebears through stories collected by the Singapore Bicentennial’s volunteer story documenters.
E-books
Singapore Bicentennial Conference: Report
The Singapore Bicentennial Conference, held on 30 September and 1 October 2019, was organised by the Institute of Policy Studies. The conference reflected on the ways history can provide important ballast for the country as it navigates today’s uncertain world, and this report captures the various discussions at the conference.
Personalities
Singapore’s early pioneers: Adnan Saidi and Ruth Wong Hie King
In this series, we feature individuals who helped shape the Singapore we know today through daring, determination and sacrifice. Dive into the stories of war hero Lieutenant Adnan Saidi and educator Ruth Wong to discover what inspired their work and how they contributed to modern Singapore.
Personalities
Singapore’s early pioneers: Munshi Abdullah and Henry Nicholas Ridley
Throughout Singapore’s long history, many influential figures have laid the foundations for modern Singapore in various fields, including education, social work, agriculture and sports. In this series, we will dive into the stories of these individuals, discover what inspired their work and how they were pivotal to the growth of early modern Singapore.
We kick off this series with Munshi Abdullah and Henry Nicholas Ridley, who made significant contributions to our island in the 1800s and 1900s.
Personalities
Singapore’s early pioneers: Tan Kah Kee and P. Govindasamy Pillai
In this series, we feature individuals who helped shape the Singapore we know today through daring, determination and sacrifice. Dive into the stories of education advocate Tan Kah Kee and philanthropist P. Govindasamy Pillai to discover what inspired their work and how they contributed to early modern Singapore.
Personalities
Singapore’s early pioneers: Teresa Hsu Chih and Alice Pennefather
In this series, we feature individuals who helped shape the Singapore we know today through their daring, determination and sacrifice. Dive into the stories of humanitarian Teresa Hsu Chih and sportswoman Alice Pennefather to discover what inspired their work and how they contributed to modern Singapore.
Personalities
Singapore’s War Heroes – Stories of Bravery
Despite the odds, many outstanding men and women stood their ground against enemy forces to defend their homeland. Because of their exceptional acts of courage, they are remembered as Singapore’s war heroes and heroines.
Lecture
SkillsFuture Festival Singapore History Series
A special collaboration with SkillsFuture Singapore, the SkillsFuture Festival Singapore History Series complements The Bicentennial Experience by providing a quick introduction to each century of our history. The lectures offer a deeper understanding of the different aspects to Singapore’s journey since 700 years ago.
Animations
The Bicentennial Trilogy: Animated short films
1299, 1819, and 2019 – watch these three milestones in Singapore’s journey come to life in this special trilogy of animated short films. Created by award-winning local animation studio Robot Playground Media, relive the moments and discover the stories behind these pivotal periods in our 700-year past in three captivating animated short films. Catch the final installment of the trilogy, ‘2019’ now.
Places
The changing landscapes of Central Singapore
Today, the central area of Singapore comprises huge residential towns and vibrant localities. But they weren’t always that way back in the day. Delve into their past and discover their little-known history along with the people associated with them.
Places
The Road to Success: Exploring Singapore’s North West
The North West of Singapore has certainly come a long way from the farms, swamps and villages that used to define the area. Some places may almost be unrecognisable, but you can still catch a glimpse of history if you know where to look.
Places
The seaside emergence of Singapore’s South East
Singapore may be small, but our land is rich with tales of the past. This is especially true of the eastern side of the island, which has a history that stretches back hundreds of years. Here’s your opportunity to retrace the little-known stories of the east.
E-books
Topical: Buayapura
Crocodiles have existed here for over 200 years. Once considered territorial protectors, these creatures have fallen prey to eradication under the colonial government, a booming international skin trade and habitat destruction. Unfold their history and discover how the ‘predator and prey’ dynamic unravels into parallel and colliding paths of co-existence.
E-books
Topical: Philanthropy in Singapore
The story of philanthropy in Singapore can be read in books and historical documents, and seen in her built environment. Through this e-book, uncover the diverse, vibrant and larger-than-life stories behind monuments such as Sri Mariamman Temple, Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka and Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
E-books
Topical: Sambal Blachan and Lim Boon Keng
Delve into this memoir of Dr Lim Boon Keng, written by his great-granddaughter Stella Kon. Compiled from her fragmentary childhood memories with reminiscences of her father, Dr Lim Kok Ann, the memoir also draws on research for her new work, Lim Boon Keng - The Musical.
E-books
Topical: The Hajj
There was a point in time where pilgrims in the region sought the help of sheikh hajis to prepare for their journey across seas to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam – the Hajj. Through this e-book, discover Singapore as a historical and cultural waypoint for this transnational religious experience.
