place Singapore

We often forget how important history is. We think history lies in the past, is behind us, buried and forgotten. Not so.

Living History
We live in history. The wisdom we gather from our parents and our teachers evolved over time, from their parents and their teachers and their parents and teachers before them. The places we live in also evolved over time. Despite being a young nation still, there are many Singaporeans today who were not there when Singapore was born. And what it means to be a Singaporean is clearer today precisely because of the time that has passed. We've grown into our roles.

Raffles Hotel, Chinatown, Little India, Holland Village, Tiong Baru and many more places like them are important to us today because they were part of our past, even a past we didn't live.

Making History
And thus we make our own histories too. Changing the tone and texture of today so that tomorrow is slightly different. Things that somehow last through these changes - chye tow kueh, chee cheong fun, roti john, and singlish - despite our efforts to outgrow them, leave their imprints and we learn, yes, these things are important. Events change us and as we change, we leave behind imprints that define the future generation.

Experts think that history is made by great people - politicians, scientists and entrepreneurs - who lead and change the world. They are merely the symptoms of a greater change, of individuals who made changes to their own lives, responding to what they see of the world around them.

Knowing History
It is good then that we should be aware of and know history. We came from it and are part of it and will define it for the future. History is simply an acknowledgement that life is change and connected. Like the butterfly effect, small things - a word, the decision to say sorry - can change the course of greater matters to come.


Fifty eight students have spoken aloud about their favourite places in Singapore. Some are Singaporeans, some are not. They are all architectural students from the AR2722 Design and Environment program. Read them, vote for them. Leave your comments, leave your marks. Say hello.