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Centenary Day

Centenary Day was celebrated on 6 February 1919 to commemorate 100 years since Singapore's founding by Stamford Raffles. The Centenary Day saw celebrations held by each ethnic community, including the Arab community, the Chinese community, the Indian community and the Europeans. A special Centenary Day celebration committee was set up, headed by W. Peel, the Municipal Commissioner then.

Committees
Around mid-1918, a committee was formed to develop a scheme to commemorate the centenary of Singapore's founding. The Centenary Memorial Committee, made up of 15 members, was headed by W. George Maxwell and included representatives from various ethnic groups, including Lim Boon Keng (Dr), Manasseh Meyer, Imam Mohd. Yusoff bin Mohd. Said, N. V. Samy (Dr), and Walter Makepeace. The committee proposed that the most suitable Centenary Memorial would be to establish the educational foundation of Singapore. This meant firstly, establishing technical and higher grade schools; secondly, setting up science and arts unviersity colleges and ultimately, a full-fledged university which would confer degrees in the sciences and the arts. The Centenary Memorial was thus set up as a fund for the establishment of a local university.

The Centenary Day Committee was proposed by the Centenary Memorial Committee to look into celebrations on the actual day itself. The committee of 25 was chaired by W. Peel, the then Municipal Commissioner and included members of the Centenary Memorial Committee.

Celebrations
Official celebrations began with the arrival of Governor Arthur Young at Victorial Memorial Hall at 7:30 am. Crowds had already gathered there from not only Singapore but from different parts of Malaya. After addressing the crowds, Governor Young unveiled a commemoration tablet on the plinth of the newly, relocated Raffles Statue. The Statue had been moved from the Padang to the Victoria Memorial Hall for this occassion. The ceremony was followed with a choral service of thanksgiving at the St Andrew's Cathedral.

Soon after the unveiling ceremony, sea sports were launched in the morning. Spectators thronged Johnston's Pier to catch a view of the boat races, all of which were bedecked with flags and decorations for the occasion. A procession of 8,000 children carrying flags and banners walked along main roads toward the Race Course where the festivities continued. Marching by schools, the boys were headed by the Raffles Institution and started their procession from Cavenagh Road and Bukit Timah Road, whilst the girls were led by the sister school, Raffles Girl's School and started at Mackenzie Road. There the festivities continued until the evening. Each ethnic group had entertainment or charity efforts conducted that same day and on subsequent days. Members of other ethnic groups joined in and were welcomed into these celebrations. Celebrations were even held in parts of Malaya, such as that held at the Masonic Hall at Selangor for 200 members of the Singapore community.

Arab Community
The Arab community celebrations, headed by Syed Omar Alsagoff, were held at the Race Course on 6 February. Egyptian music was played and an Arabic play drew in the crowds. Guests did not leave without a special token, in typically Arabic style of generous hosting.

Tamil Community
In the afternoon of 6 February, the Tamil community fed at least 2,000 of their poor at the pandal (a tented area) at Jalan Tamba off Serangoon Road. The same pandal was used for singing and dancing which continued until past midnight.

Malay Community
Kadir Sultan headed the celebrations of the Malay community. It began with the feeding of 10,000 people on the morning of 6 February at the Kampong Glam Malay School by the Indian Muslim Society. The Mohamedan Clubs were also encouraged to set up decorated stalls at the Race Course with the best three receiving prizes. Many depicted the cessation of Singapore by Sultan Hussein to Raffles.

Others
The Eurasian Literary Association met several days later, on 8 February, where H Tessensohn recounted the accomplishments of Stamford Raffles and fellow Eurasians. The Jews gave a special treat to Jewish children on Centenary Day.



Author
Bonny Muliani Tan



References
Singapore centenary: A souvenir volume (pp. 24 - 69). (1919). Singapore: Kelly & Walsh.
(Call no.: RRARE 959.51 SIN).

Arab and Tamil communities celebrations. [Microfilm: NL 452]. (1919, February 8). The Straits Times, p. 8.

Centenary of Singapore. [Microfilm: NL 452].  (1919, February 7). The Straits Times, pp. 8-10. 

Singapore's centenary [Microfilm: NL 1643]. (1919, February 7). Singapore Free Press, p. 10.

Singapore's centenary - celebrated by the Eurasian Literary Association: the memory of Raffles. [Microfilm: NL 452]. (1919, February 14). The Straits Times, p. 2.


Further Readings
Singapore centenary supplement [Microfilm: NL 452]. (1919, February 7). The Straits Times. 

The information in this article is valid as at 2003 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Events>>Historical Periods>>Founding of Modern Singapore (1819-1941)
Special events--Singapore
Singapore--History--1867-1942
History>>Asia>>Southeast Asia>>Singapore



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