National Day of Republic of Singapore, 9 August
Much of Singapore's early history is shrouded in legend and secondhand accounts. Chinese sailors in the twelfth to fourteenth centuries described Singapore as a pirate's lair. The island was once named Temasek (tuh-MAH-sek), which means “sea town.” The Sanskrit name Singapura (SING-ah-POO-rah), meaning “lion city,” was more commonly used by the end of the fourteenth century.
Archaeological evidence indicates that the island was part of a Malay kingdom during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. It was ruled by a prince from Sumatra named Parameswara.
The National Day of Singapore is a public holiday, celebrated on 9th August each year.
Sources:
Baker, J. M. (2001). Singapore. Times Editions.
Layton, L. (2012). Singapore. Marshall Cavendish Benchmark.