History

Merlion at the Fullerton Park

The earliest known mention of Singapore was a 3rd-century Chinese account describing
Singapore as “Pu-luo-chung” (“island at the end of a peninsula”). By the 14th century, Singapore had become part of the mighty Sri Vijayan empire and was known as Temasek (“Sea Town”). During the 14th century, it earned a new name — “Singa
Pura”, or “Lion City”. According to legend, a visiting Sri Vijayan prince saw an animal
he mistook for a lion and Singapore's modern day name was born.

The British provided the next notable chapter in the Singapore story. During the
18th century, they saw the need for a strategic “half way house” to support their growing
empire. In 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles, the British administrator who founded the modern
Singapore, quickly established Singapore as a trading station. By 1824, the population had grown from a mere 150 to 10,000. Years later, during World War II, Singapore was captured by the Japanese in 1942. After the war, Singapore became a Crown Colony. The growth of nationalism led to self government in 1959 and on 9 August 1965, Singapore became an independent republic.