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City Hall
City Hall served to unite the people in various ways. It was here that many important significant historical events that changed Singapore forever happened here, such as the declaration of the independence of Singapore. Thus, the historical events that happened here educates people about the history of Singapore. It was designed by Municipal Architect A. Gordon and Assistant Architect F. D. Meadows and built between 1926 and 1929. It is presently occupied by the Judiciary.
About 30 years ago, Singapore was not an independent country. It was a Crown Colony, ruled by a British Governor. The British were unwilling to grant Singapore its independence as they felt that Singapore could not survive on its own, as it was a small country with little resources. It also had no large-scale industries or agriculture to support its people. That changed in 1963. Earlier, in 1959, in the prestigious City Hall building, Singapore was granted self-government under the PAP (People’s Action Party). Under the PAP’s government, Singapore merged with Malaya and several other countries to form Malaysia. Now Singapore was able to support itself with help from Malaya, and the British agreed to grant independence. All seemed well. But the relationship with Malaya was a tumultuous one, causing numerous disagreements between both sides and causing much enmity. Finally, on 9th August 1965, in the same building where Singapore was granted self-government, she broke off from Malaysia to form a separate, independent nation. That day is Singapore’s National Day. The first National Day Parade was held on the Padang, a large grass field in front of City Hall. Nowadays it is held at the National Stadium in Kallang, while every four years, it is held at Padang to remember to good old days. The National Day celebrations is one of the educational programmes that are held annually in Singapore.
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City
Hall was at first called the Municipal Building and housed the Municipal
Council, which was responsible for the construction of roads, bridges
and markets, street lighting and the provision of water from reservoirs
to the town. 
City
Hall has been the stage for many of the historic events associated
with Singapore’s nationhood. It was here that Lee Kuan Yew,
as Prime Minister, proclaimed self-government for Singapore on 5
June 1959 and merger with Malaysia on 16 September 1963. After Separation,
the first fully-independent Singapore Government was sworn in at
City Hall on 
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