Google Doodle celebrates Singapore's National Day with Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid art
Featuring the national flower of Singapore, Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid, in the latest illustration, Google Doodle celebrated Singapore's National Day on August 9. On this day in 1965, Singapore separated from the Federation of Malaysia and officially became a sovereign nation.
According to Doodle's archive, the orchid species, Vanda Miss Joaquim, was selected as Singapore's national flower for its vibrant colors, hardiness, and resilience—characteristics that define the Singaporean spirit. It was selected as the national flower on April 15, 1981, from among 40 flowers, out of which 30 were orchids, as per National Parks Board, making Singapore the only country to have a hybrid as the national flower.
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The history of Singapore's National Day
According to OfficeHolidays, Singapore declared its independence from Britain in August 1963 and joined the Federation of Malaysia in September 1963 after the 1962 Merger Referendum of Singapore. Singapore left the federation two years later and got its sovereignty on August 9, 1965, when Yusof bin Ishak, a well-known journalist who co-founded a Malay-language daily newspaper 'Utusan Melayu', was sworn in as the first president of the country.
National Day Parade
According to HistorySG, the country celebrated the first anniversary of its independence with the inaugural National Day Parade held at the Padang on August 9, 1966. The parade, which saw around 23,000 men, women, and children, started at 9 am after the arrival of President Ishak. Members of the cabinet and Parliament wore uniforms and marched through Chinatown. The parade also included a 90-minute fireworks display at Fort Canning along with a giant illuminated sea dragon float that glided along the nearby waterfront. Apart from the parade, cultural performances, speeches, dinners, and other events were held at community and state levels throughout the week to celebrate the anniversary.
The annual National Day Parade is the largest celebration in the country, according to Doodle's archive. It also mentions that Singaporeans take part in the parade either in person or by watching the national broadcast of the event. In the months leading up to the celebration, the Singapore Armed Forces rehearse free-fall parachute displays and vehicle demonstrations. The parades usually feature an aerial show with helicopters and fighter planes and song-and-dance performances. In the end, fireworks are displayed in the night sky. To celebrate the day, citizens spend the holiday at picnics, carnivals, and concerts.
Google Doodle celebrates the day
The first time Singapore got its own Google doodle for National Day was in 2009, followed by one every passing year. In 2015, to celebrate Singapore's 50th birthday, Google held a competition 'Doodle 4 Google' with the theme 'Singapore, the next 50 years'. The winner was 8-year-old Moh Journ Haydn from Beacon Primary School.
According to The Straits Times, the entries were divided into five age groups: four to six years old, seven to nine years old, 10 to 12 years old, 13 to 15 years old, and 16 to 18 years old. Google employees shortlisted 20 doodles for each age group. Winners were assessed on artistic merit, creativity, and theme communication.
