Stories of Yesteryear - Diary Of A Nation

A 1988 documentary series on Singapore’s history, and social, political and economic developments that is preserved at the National Archives of Singapore.

A 1988 documentary series on Singapore’s history, and social, political and economic developments that is preserved at the National Archives of Singapore.

Ep 1 Radio Singapore
13 mins

This episode features interviews with early radio producers and highlights the kind of programmes produced for Radio Singapore.

Ep 1 Radio Singapore

This episode features interviews with early radio producers and highlights the kind of programmes produced for Radio Singapore.

Ep 2 Family Planning
11 mins

This episode looks at the conditions in Singapore during the early years of nationhood that called for family planning. It features the work of the Singapore Planning and Population Board that was set up on 7 January 1966 to introduce family planning to Singaporeans, the changing social and economic conditions that had since taken place, and the need to review family planning policies.

Ep 2 Family Planning

This episode looks at the conditions in Singapore during the early years of nationhood that called for family planning. It features the work of the Singapore Planning and Population Board that was set up on 7 January 1966 to introduce family planning to Singaporeans, the changing social and economic conditions that had since taken place, and the need to review family planning policies.

Ep 3 Community Centres
8 mins

This episode looks at the role of community centres and the kinds of activities and services that the centres provided in the 1980s.

Ep 3 Community Centres

This episode looks at the role of community centres and the kinds of activities and services that the centres provided in the 1980s.

Ep 4 Homes For Our People
11 mins

This episode looks at home ownership in Singapore, the development of Housing and Development Board (HDB) housing and how it has led to a nation of homeowners.

Ep 4 Homes For Our People

This episode looks at home ownership in Singapore, the development of Housing and Development Board (HDB) housing and how it has led to a nation of homeowners.

Ep 5 TV Singapura
12 mins

This episode features the introduction of television service in Singapore in 1963, how it has impacted the lives of Singaporeans in general, and how news stories were covered and telecast then.

Ep 5 TV Singapura

This episode features the introduction of television service in Singapore in 1963, how it has impacted the lives of Singaporeans in general, and how news stories were covered and telecast then.

Ep 6 National Service
10 mins

This episode examines the reasons for introducing National Service in Singapore, its reception from the people, and its impact on Singapore.

Ep 6 National Service

This episode examines the reasons for introducing National Service in Singapore, its reception from the people, and its impact on Singapore.

Ep 7 The 1955 Election
11 mins

This episode looks at the 1955 Legislative Assembly General Election and its significance in marking the beginning of Singapore's path towards self-government.

Ep 7 The 1955 Election

This episode looks at the 1955 Legislative Assembly General Election and its significance in marking the beginning of Singapore's path towards self-government.

Ep 8 Water Rationing
11 mins

This episode looks at the water rationing exercise carried out in Singapore between April 1963 and February 1964, and its impact on the country and people's lives.

Ep 8 Water Rationing

This episode looks at the water rationing exercise carried out in Singapore between April 1963 and February 1964, and its impact on the country and people's lives.

Ep 9 National Junior College
9 mins

Singapore’s first junior college, National Junior College (NJC), officially opened on 14 May 1970. This episode looks at NJC's first year through the eyes of its teachers and students.

Ep 9 National Junior College

Singapore’s first junior college, National Junior College (NJC), officially opened on 14 May 1970. This episode looks at NJC's first year through the eyes of its teachers and students.

Ep 10 Bukit Ho Swee Fire
10 mins

This episode looks at the fateful day in May 1961 when Bukit Ho Swee was reduced to ashes by the biggest fire that Singapore has ever seen, and the rehabilitation of affected residents in its aftermath.

Ep 10 Bukit Ho Swee Fire

This episode looks at the fateful day in May 1961 when Bukit Ho Swee was reduced to ashes by the biggest fire that Singapore has ever seen, and the rehabilitation of affected residents in its aftermath.

Ep 11 Our Own Currency
10 mins

This episode looks into the development of Singapore’s very own currency following its independence.

Ep 11 Our Own Currency

This episode looks into the development of Singapore’s very own currency following its independence.

Ep 12 University of Singapore
12 mins

This episode looks at the University of Singapore’s early years and its development.

Ep 12 University of Singapore

This episode looks at the University of Singapore’s early years and its development.

Ep 13 Mass X-Ray Campaign
10 mins

This episode looks at Singapore's mass X-ray campaign in July 1958 against tuberculosis, and how it brought the serious public health problem under control.

Ep 13 Mass X-Ray Campaign

This episode looks at Singapore's mass X-ray campaign in July 1958 against tuberculosis, and how it brought the serious public health problem under control.

Ep 14 First Factory in Jurong
10 mins

This episode looks at the early years of Singapore’s industrialisation, and the development of Jurong as an industrial town.

Ep 14 First Factory in Jurong

This episode looks at the early years of Singapore’s industrialisation, and the development of Jurong as an industrial town.

Ep 15 Changes in Labour Law
10 mins

This episode looks at how the employment conditions of the 1950s and 1960s, as well as Singapore’s push to rapid industrialisation, led to the enactment of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act and the Employment Act in 1968, and their impact over the next two decades.

Ep 15 Changes in Labour Law

This episode looks at how the employment conditions of the 1950s and 1960s, as well as Singapore’s push to rapid industrialisation, led to the enactment of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act and the Employment Act in 1968, and their impact over the next two decades.

Ep 16 Paya Lebar Airport
11 mins

This episode looks at the early years of civil aviation in Singapore and the development of the country’s airports, including Paya Lebar Airport, which opened in 1955.

Ep 16 Paya Lebar Airport

This episode looks at the early years of civil aviation in Singapore and the development of the country’s airports, including Paya Lebar Airport, which opened in 1955.

Ep 17 National Trades Union Congress
12 mins

This episode traces the history of Singapore’s labour movement, from its traumatic early years to the present era typified by mutual understanding and cooperation among unionised workers, management and the government.

Ep 17 National Trades Union Congress

This episode traces the history of Singapore’s labour movement, from its traumatic early years to the present era typified by mutual understanding and cooperation among unionised workers, management and the government.

Ep 18 Teachers’ Training College
11 mins

This episode traces the early days of the Teachers’ Training College, which opened in 1950, and the evolution of teacher education in Singapore.

Ep 18 Teachers’ Training College

This episode traces the early days of the Teachers’ Training College, which opened in 1950, and the evolution of teacher education in Singapore.

Ep 19 Women’s Charter
10 mins

This episode looks at how the Women’s Charter marked a turning point in the lives of Singaporean women, and how this historic piece of legislation had been scrutinised and changed over the years in response to Singapore's changing social conditions.

Ep 19 Women’s Charter

This episode looks at how the Women’s Charter marked a turning point in the lives of Singaporean women, and how this historic piece of legislation had been scrutinised and changed over the years in response to Singapore's changing social conditions.

Ep 20 Keep Singapore Clean
10 mins

This episode looks at the transformation of Singapore into a litter-free and green city.

Ep 20 Keep Singapore Clean

This episode looks at the transformation of Singapore into a litter-free and green city.

Ep 21 Singapore Citizenship Ordinance
10 mins

This episode recounts the story of Singapore’s citizenship drive in November 1957.

Ep 21 Singapore Citizenship Ordinance

This episode recounts the story of Singapore’s citizenship drive in November 1957.

Ep 22 Singapore Polytechnic
11 mins

This episode profiles the Singapore Polytechnic, the challenges the polytechnic faces in its efforts to provide an adequate supply of skilled manpower, and the changes that it has undergone in order to respond effectively to Singapore’s changing needs as a nation.

Ep 22 Singapore Polytechnic

This episode profiles the Singapore Polytechnic, the challenges the polytechnic faces in its efforts to provide an adequate supply of skilled manpower, and the changes that it has undergone in order to respond effectively to Singapore’s changing needs as a nation.

Ep 23 Singapore Bus Service
9 mins

This episode looks into Singapore’s bus service in the 1950s and 1960s, and traces the beginnings of the Singapore Bus Service (SBS).

Ep 23 Singapore Bus Service

This episode looks into Singapore’s bus service in the 1950s and 1960s, and traces the beginnings of the Singapore Bus Service (SBS).

Ep 24 National Library
12 mins

This episode looks at the beginnings of the National Library, and how it has grown to meet Singaporeans’ changing needs – from developing its collections to cater to increasing literacy rates, to launching mobile services to reach out to rural areas, and opening branch libraries in satellite towns.

Ep 24 National Library

This episode looks at the beginnings of the National Library, and how it has grown to meet Singaporeans’ changing needs – from developing its collections to cater to increasing literacy rates, to launching mobile services to reach out to rural areas, and opening branch libraries in satellite towns.

Additional Information

Premiered2020
Genresarts and heritage, documentary, historical, info-ed
Seasons1
Suitable For All Ages