Singapore celebrates 50 years of independence

Singapore threw a big party on Sunday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of independence and unrivalled economic success in a region struggling with poverty and political instability.

The weekend of celebrations culminated with fireworks after a military parade on Sunday.

Fighter jets screamed through the sky and nationalist songs blared across the parade.

The sense of unity and pride in Singapore's  achievements was reinforced with a tribute video dedicated to its founder and longest serving leader, Lee Kuan Yew, who died in March at age 91, after running a virtually one-party state.

Singapore was born when the British East India Company turned the island in to a trading post which was seen as a place of opportunity in the region.
It later grew from a trading outpost to city-state, it attracted cultures from across the world making it an international hub.
Singapore merged with Malaysia following its granted independence from the UK in 1963 only for it to be kicked out of the Malaysia Federation in 1965.


The Telegraph.