| Founding of modern Singapore | |
|---|---|
 Singapore from the Rocky Point, 1819 | |
| Frequency | Commemorated for specific major anniversaries |
| Location(s) | Singapore |
| Founded | 6 February 1819 |
| Most recent | 2019 (Bicentennial) |
| Website | www (official bicentennial webpage) |
| 1819 Treaty of Singapore | |
| Formal Name | 1819 Treaty of Friendship and Alliance |
| Signed | 6 February 1819 |
| Location | Padang, Singapore |
| Replaces | Provisional treaty signed on 30 January 1819 |
| Replaced by | 1824 Treaty of Friendship and Alliance |
| Signatories | Sir Raffles, Temenggong Abdul Rahman, Sultan Hussein |
| Languages | English, Malay |
The signing of the Treaty of Singapore on 6 February 1819 is officially recognised as the founding of Singapore.[1][2] The Treaty allowed the British East India Company to open up a trading post in Singapore, marking the beginning of a British settlement.[3] And because Singapore was also a major trading port in ancient times,[4][5] it is often referred to as the founding of modern Singapore to reflect this fact and the long history of Singapore actually stretches way back.[5][6]
The government of the Republic of Singapore has twice held major commemorative events to mark the 150th and 200th anniversaries of 6 February 1819 as Singapore's modern founding.[7][5] The colonial government also did so in the past.[8]
But there has been disagreement about what 6 February 1819 represents and means for Singapore. Some are critical about it while others with more positive views.[9]
- ^ "Stamford Raffles's landing in Singapore". Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board, Singapore Government. Archived from the original on 14 September 2022.
28 Jan 1819: The Indiana and Enterprise anchor at St John's Island. Raffles and Farquhar meet the Temenggong...30 Jan 1819: A draft agreement is penned between the Temenggong and the British, and the Union Jack is raised with little ceremony...6 Feb 1819: The Singapore Treaty is signed between Raffles, the Sultan and the Temenggong, with commanders from the accompanying seven ships witnessing the event... The Union Jack is officially raised. This date is recognised as the official founding of Singapore.
- ^ Lee Kuan Yew. "SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER AT THE BANQUET GIVEN BY THE SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO MARK THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF SINGAPORE - 6TH FEBRUARY, 1969" (PDF). National Archives of Singapore. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2021.
- ^ "SINGAPORE TREATY IS SIGNED: 6th Feb 1819". HistorySG. National Library Board, Singapore Government. Archived from the original on 28 July 2022.
On 6 February 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles, Temenggong Abdur Rahman and Sultan Hussein Shah of Johor signed a treaty that gave the British East India Company (EIC) the right to set up a trading post in Singapore. In exchange, Sultan Hussein received a yearly sum of 5,000 Spanish dollars while the Temenggong received 3,000 Spanish dollars. It was also on this day that the British flag was formally hoisted on Singapore, marking the birth of Singapore as a British settlement.
- ^ "China trade". Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board, Singapore Government. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023.
Temasek, the name for Singapore, emerged as an important port in the early 14th century.
- ^ a b c "Plans to mark 200th anniversary of the founding of modern Singapore in 2019: PM Lee". The Straits Times. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021.
The Singapore story did not begin in 1965, the year of independence. Instead, it stretches back 700 years, telling a tale of ebb and flow...Even before Raffles' arrival at St John's Island on Jan 28 that year, Singapore had a rich history, harking back to the 14th century when it was a maritime emporium.
- ^ "Farquhar & Raffles: The Untold Story". BiblioAsia. National Library Board, Singapore Government. 31 January 2019. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023.
Farquhar deserves as much credit as Raffles in the founding of modern Singapore.
- ^ "150th Anniversary of the Founding of Singapore". National Archives of Singapore. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023.
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