Yahoo! Singapore Answers blog

Not me, though yes I’ll be getting older soon (no! I’m not telling when and how old!). But our nation will be celebrating 43 years of independence this Saturday! How many of you will be there at the floating platform and soaking in the atmosphere?

Well, you definitely won’t find me there, I’ll be home, sitting in front of the tv instead. Not that I’m not patriotic, but the idea of squeezing with so many people just puts me off. Imagine big, burly, sweaty men pushing past you and harried women with monster prams bulldozing their way forward. Not a pretty sight.

Anyway, how much do you know of the old Singapore? Did you know that the Fullerton Hotel used to be known as the General Post Office Building in 1928? Did you know that Orchard Road used to be lined with nutmeg, pepper and fruit orchards, and at the later part of 1840s, with graveyards? I certainly didn’t.

(Photo thanks to Suzz.com)

Who still remembers the old National Library at Stamford Road before they tore it down?

As the country gets older, more modern and new buildings will emerge every year, but I think we should not forget our past and heritage. In fact the National Library (at Bras Brasah) participated in the National Heritage roadshow last Saturday, showcasing 43 specially picked photos representing Singapore. They have also set up a community on flickr called SNAP (Singapore National Album of Pictures) where members of the public can upload heritage photos taken before 1980s and share it with one another.

So if you have any old photos (or if your grandparents, or parents have any old photos), do scan them in and upload onto SNAP. Let’s share the old memories.