Reflections of Yesteryear

Voices of Singapore’s first generation leaders, on the journey to survive and prosper as a nation.

Voices of Singapore’s first generation leaders, on the journey to survive and prosper as a nation.

Ep 1 Singapore Celebrates
2 mins

E W Barker at the launch of ‘Singapore Celebrates’ on 29 November 1990. The book commemorates celebrations for the 25th anniversary of Singapore’s independence. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 1 Singapore Celebrates

E W Barker at the launch of ‘Singapore Celebrates’ on 29 November 1990. The book commemorates celebrations for the 25th anniversary of Singapore’s independence. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 2 Self-Government
2 mins

Speech by Lee Kuan Yew on 3 June 1959, the day Singapore became an internal self-governing state. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 2 Self-Government

Speech by Lee Kuan Yew on 3 June 1959, the day Singapore became an internal self-governing state. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 3 State Symbols
1 min

Minister for Culture S Rajaratnam speaking at the 11 November 1959 Legislative Assembly, to present the motion to establish Singapore’s state symbols. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 3 State Symbols

Minister for Culture S Rajaratnam speaking at the 11 November 1959 Legislative Assembly, to present the motion to establish Singapore’s state symbols. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 4 1966 National Day Rally
3 mins

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's speech at the National Day Rally on 8 August 1966, looking back on a “year of great and sudden change”. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 4 1966 National Day Rally

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's speech at the National Day Rally on 8 August 1966, looking back on a “year of great and sudden change”. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 5 Television for National Development and Consolidation
1 min

Minister for Culture and Social Affairs Othman Wok at the opening of the Television Centre on Caldecott Hill on 26 August 1966, speaking on the use of television to mobilise the public. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 5 Television for National Development and Consolidation

Minister for Culture and Social Affairs Othman Wok at the opening of the Television Centre on Caldecott Hill on 26 August 1966, speaking on the use of television to mobilise the public. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 6 Singapore’s Admission to the United Nations
1 min

Thank-you speech by the Minister for Foreign Affairs S Rajaratnam at the 20th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on 21 September 1965, following Singapore's admission to the UN. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 6 Singapore’s Admission to the United Nations

Thank-you speech by the Minister for Foreign Affairs S Rajaratnam at the 20th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on 21 September 1965, following Singapore's admission to the UN. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 7 Knowing Our Close Neighbours
2 mins

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Labour S Rajaratnam speaking at the launch of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Radio Exchange Programme on 22 December 1970, on the importance of gaining knowledge of other countries in ASEAN. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 7 Knowing Our Close Neighbours

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Labour S Rajaratnam speaking at the launch of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Radio Exchange Programme on 22 December 1970, on the importance of gaining knowledge of other countries in ASEAN. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 8 An ASEAN with Purpose and Direction
3 mins

Address by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the closing session of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit on 24 February 1976, on the substance given to regional cooperation. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 8 An ASEAN with Purpose and Direction

Address by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the closing session of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit on 24 February 1976, on the substance given to regional cooperation. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 9 Not for Show
2 mins

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew speaking at the commissioning ceremony at the Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute for its first batch of graduates on 18 July 1967. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 9 Not for Show

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew speaking at the commissioning ceremony at the Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute for its first batch of graduates on 18 July 1967. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 10 After the British
3 mins

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr Goh Keng Swee, in a 1984 documentary, ‘Principles of Government’, on planning for the withdrawal of British troops after Independence. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 10 After the British

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr Goh Keng Swee, in a 1984 documentary, ‘Principles of Government’, on planning for the withdrawal of British troops after Independence. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 11 The Armed Forces
3 mins

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr Goh Keng Swee speaking at the Establishment Dinner on 25 September 1984, on the need for Singapore to be able to defend herself. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 11 The Armed Forces

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr Goh Keng Swee speaking at the Establishment Dinner on 25 September 1984, on the need for Singapore to be able to defend herself. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 12 Socrates’ Parable
2 mins

Second Deputy Prime Minister (Foreign Affairs) S Rajaratnam at the 12th Anniversary Dinner of the Harvard Club of Singapore on 8 December 1981, speaking on how true happiness lies in human pursuit. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 12 Socrates’ Parable

Second Deputy Prime Minister (Foreign Affairs) S Rajaratnam at the 12th Anniversary Dinner of the Harvard Club of Singapore on 8 December 1981, speaking on how true happiness lies in human pursuit. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 13 Promoting Singapore-made Goods
1 min

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Toh Chin Chye at the closing of an African trade mission seminar on 17 February 1966, on the need to sell Singapore-made goods abroad. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 13 Promoting Singapore-made Goods

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Toh Chin Chye at the closing of an African trade mission seminar on 17 February 1966, on the need to sell Singapore-made goods abroad. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 14 Proud and Rugged Workers
2 mins

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's address at the opening of the National Trades Union Congress delegates seminar on 'Modernisation of the Labour Movement' on 16 November 1969. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 14 Proud and Rugged Workers

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's address at the opening of the National Trades Union Congress delegates seminar on 'Modernisation of the Labour Movement' on 16 November 1969. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 15 Assisting New Industries
1 min

Minister for Finance Lim Kim San at a pioneer certificate presentation ceremony on 27 April 1967, on how the government will assist new industries. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 15 Assisting New Industries

Minister for Finance Lim Kim San at a pioneer certificate presentation ceremony on 27 April 1967, on how the government will assist new industries. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 16 What Productivity Means
1 min

Minister for Labour Jek Yeun Thong at the National Trades Union Congress May Day Rally on 1 May 1967, on the need for a change in mindset from past concepts. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 16 What Productivity Means

Minister for Labour Jek Yeun Thong at the National Trades Union Congress May Day Rally on 1 May 1967, on the need for a change in mindset from past concepts. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 17 A Healthy Climate for Investment
2 mins

Minister for Finance Lim Kim San speaking at the Singapore Manufacturers’ Association luncheon on 19 November 1965, about Singapore having the conditions to build a thriving industrial nation. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 17 A Healthy Climate for Investment

Minister for Finance Lim Kim San speaking at the Singapore Manufacturers’ Association luncheon on 19 November 1965, about Singapore having the conditions to build a thriving industrial nation. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 18 Goh’s Folly
1 min

Minister of Finance Dr Goh Keng Swee on the risk taken in developing Jurong, in his speech at the fifth anniversary dinner of the Jurong Industries Association on 21 May 1970. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 18 Goh’s Folly

Minister of Finance Dr Goh Keng Swee on the risk taken in developing Jurong, in his speech at the fifth anniversary dinner of the Jurong Industries Association on 21 May 1970. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 19 The Teacher’s New Role
2 mins

Minister for Education Ong Pang Boon's address at the opening of the Teacher Education Conference on 9 January 1968, highlighting the role of the teacher in the all-round development of an individual. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 19 The Teacher’s New Role

Minister for Education Ong Pang Boon's address at the opening of the Teacher Education Conference on 9 January 1968, highlighting the role of the teacher in the all-round development of an individual. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 20 Conditions in the Teaching Service
2 mins

Minister for Education Lim Kim San at the dinner and dance for the 24th anniversary of the Singapore Teachers' Union on 14 November 1970, addressing conditions in the teaching service. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 20 Conditions in the Teaching Service

Minister for Education Lim Kim San at the dinner and dance for the 24th anniversary of the Singapore Teachers' Union on 14 November 1970, addressing conditions in the teaching service. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 21 The Necessity of Examinations
2 mins

Speech by Lim Kim San, Minister for Education, at the Singapore Advisory Committee meeting of the Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate held on 28 June 1972, on developments in the examination system. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 21 The Necessity of Examinations

Speech by Lim Kim San, Minister for Education, at the Singapore Advisory Committee meeting of the Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate held on 28 June 1972, on developments in the examination system. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 22 Learning How to Learn
2 mins

Minister for Foreign Affairs S Rajaratnam at the 1972 opening of the American Library Resource Centre of the US Embassy, highlighting that the development of Singapore’s only resource must go beyond mere literacy. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 22 Learning How to Learn

Minister for Foreign Affairs S Rajaratnam at the 1972 opening of the American Library Resource Centre of the US Embassy, highlighting that the development of Singapore’s only resource must go beyond mere literacy. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 23 An Educated Society
2 mins

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the opening of Queenstown Branch Library on 30 April 1970, promoting lifelong reading and learning as a mark of an educated society. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 23 An Educated Society

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the opening of Queenstown Branch Library on 30 April 1970, promoting lifelong reading and learning as a mark of an educated society. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 24 Sports Can Help
1 min

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the official opening of the National Stadium on 21 July 1973, encouraging the habit of exercise for a population living “an artificial city life”. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Ep 24 Sports Can Help

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the official opening of the National Stadium on 21 July 1973, encouraging the habit of exercise for a population living “an artificial city life”. Visit https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/audiovisual_records/ for more archival recordings.

Additional Information

Premiered2020
Genresdocumentary, historical, info-ed, arts and heritage
Seasons1
Suitable For All Ages