Bicentennial a time to reflect on how Singapore came into being: PM Lee

Singapore

THE year 1819 was an important turning point in the country's history and the catalyst for the beginning of the "modern, outward-looking and multicultural" nation that Singapore is today.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made this point on Monday at the official launch of the Singapore Bicentennial, which marks the 200th anniversary of Sir Stamford Raffles' arrival in Singapore.

"Without 1819, we may never have launched on the path to nationhood as we know it today," he said in a speech at the Asian Civilisations Museum.

"Without 1819, we would not have had 1965 (when Singapore became independent), and we…