20 defining moments in National Day Parade history

Since 1966, the National Day Parade has reflected Singapore’s evolving identity – solemn and spirited, scripted and spontaneous. From the first jets and colour broadcasts to viral memes and heartfelt moments of pride, these are the years that made us go “Majulah Singapura”.

1966: The First Parade

Did you know the National Day Parade began as a morning celebration? A year after independence, Singapore held its very first National Day Parade at the Padang on 9 August 1966. 

There were no tanks or jets – just 23,000 participants from uniformed groups, schools and unions marching past a newly sovereign nation’s founding leaders.

1970: Singapore Takes Flight

Four years on, the roar of jet engines filled the skies. For the first time, Republic of Singapore Air Force jets made a flypast of the state flag – now an iconic fixture of NDP. It was a symbol of military progress, but also one of aspiration: Singapore could soar.

1974: NDP Goes Technicolour

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Singaporeans could now see their country’s big day in full colour. The 1974 parade was the first to be broadcast on colour television – a milestone in national broadcasting and a vivid upgrade to a growing spectacle.

1976: Hello, National Stadium

The National Stadium hosted the parade for the first time – a venue that would go on to play a key role in shaping Singapore’s sporting and patriotic culture. 

Though 1976 wasn’t the birthplace of the now-iconic Kallang Wave – the rhythmic ripple of raised and lowered arms – its presence at parades held at the stadium in Kallang helped cement the wave’s place in national culture. 

Over the years, the stadium also resonated with the thunderous Kallang Roar, welcomed figures like Pope John Paul II and Michael Jackson, and became a symbolic site for many of Singapore’s landmark moments.

1988: Swing Singapore, and Its Chaos

What was meant to be a post-parade party became a near-stampede. “Swing Singapore” drew 100,000 to Orchard Road – so overwhelming that it had to be shut down mid-event. 

Then-PM Lee Kuan Yew called it a mistake – and, so, a make-up party was successfully planned in just 17 days. It drew a record 250,000 revellers. 

1989: Fireworks and Freefalls

The Red Lions made their dramatic NDP debut, parachuting into hearts and headlines. It was also the first time fireworks were set off in the day – a blazing show of confidence, colour, and coordination.

1991: The Birth of the Funpack

NDP got a new tradition: the humble funpack. A uniquely Singaporean souvenir stuffed with snacks, drinks, flags, and the occasional whistle, it became both a source of pride and parody in years to come.

1997: Parade Gets Schooled

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The National Education (NE) Show was launched, inviting Primary 5 students to attend preview parades. It was a policy masterstroke – part civics lesson, part spectacle – that introduced a new generation to patriotism, mass choreography, and the thrill of fireworks.

1998: A ‘Home’ is Born

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Dick Lee’s “Home,” sung by Kit Chan, premiered – and a modern classic was born. In a city obsessed with constant change, Home struck a rare emotional chord. It’s still sung, still cried to.

2002: NEWater Makes a Splash

Singapore’s water ambitions took centre stage in 2002. That year, NEWater – high-grade reclaimed water – was introduced to the public during NDP, handed out in bottles as both proof of innovation and a nudge towards national self-reliance.

2007: Enter The Float

The Marina Bay floating platform hosted NDP for the first time – a marvel of engineering and a stopgap that lasted far longer than expected. Against the city skyline, it gave NDP a fresh, photogenic backdrop and redefined what a parade could look like.

2010: Back to the Padang

A return to roots. In 2010, the parade was staged once more at the Padang, offering a sense of nostalgia amid a rapidly modernising downtown – a poignant loop between past and present.

2011: New Skylines, New Firsts

This year’s parade was held against a fully completed Marina Bay skyline – a glossy symbol of Singapore’s urban ambition. It was also the first to feature a female regimental sergeant major: Master Warrant Officer Jennifer Tan, breaking ground in boots.

2015: SG50

To mark Singapore’s 50th birthday, the National Day Parade returned to the Padang with added fanfare – including the return of the mobile column after a five-year hiatus, featuring a convoy of 177 war vehicles rumbling past the crowds, as well as the grandest NDP fireworks display to date.

In a gesture befitting the nation’s golden jubilee, the traditional funpack was expanded beyond parade attendees to reach every Singaporean and Permanent Resident household – about 1.2 million in total – turning the celebration into a truly nationwide affair.

2016: First at the Sports Hub

The National Day Parade made its debut at the newly built National Stadium – part of the Sports Hub – offering a modern, sleek, and air-conditioned setting. 

That year, the celebrations took on even more significance as swimmer Joseph Schooling returned from Rio with Singapore’s first Olympic gold. Just days after his historic win, he received a hero’s welcome and made a key appearance at the parade – a moment that doubled as both personal triumph and national pride writ large.

2017: The Meme Parade

During the parade’s finale, a pupil from Henry Park Primary School famously flipped off the camera – a moment that instantly went viral. Clearly, when the bird flew that year, Singaporeans just couldn’t look away.

2020: The COVID Edition

In response to the pandemic, the National Day Parade was scaled down and livestreamed, with around 150 spectators and 300 participants. Since its inception in 1966, the parade has never been cancelled – not even during the 1968 downpour or the 2003 SARS outbreak. 

Masked performers and socially distanced celebrations reflected Singapore’s adaptability. Despite the challenges, every household received a funpack, underscoring the nation’s enduring spirit.

2022: Viral Feels

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The 2022 National Day Parade was marked by moments that captured both heartfelt patriotism and lighthearted viral fun, reflecting the parade’s unique ability to unite Singaporeans in diverse ways.

The cameras caught a heartfelt moment when Mr Azuan Tan was seen tearing up during the national anthem – a clip that quickly went viral, inspiring both praise and memes online.

The parade also saw a scare when Third Warrant Officer Jeffrey Heng, a Red Lions parachutist, took a hard landing and was stretchered off. Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen later confirmed Heng was stable and receiving medical care.

Meanwhile, TikTok star Nicole Liel brought levity to the evening when host Rishi Budhrani asked what she was grateful for. Her cheeky shoutout to gaining a HDB BTO queue number and, also, Ya Kun Kaya Toast made the nation laugh – and even earned her 57 cups of coffee and tea from the popular café.

2023: Former President Halimah’s Last Hurrah

Former President Halimah Yacob participated in her final NDP selfie – wefie, to be accurate – as the nation bid farewell to its first female head of state. 

2024: Stand-In for Singapore

For the second year, the National Day Parade stand-in for President Tharman has gone viral for his good looks. A TikTok clip of the young man – shortly after revealed to be Captain Lam Hong Xiang of the RSAF – waving to the crowd at the Padang has racked up over 330,000 views, sparking curiosity about his identity. 

The RSAF officially introduced Lam via a viral video, revealing that he volunteered for the role and coordinated closely with parade participants to advise on timings and protocol.