National Day Parade 2024 is the first attended by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in their new roles
UNDETERRED by early evening showers and high humidity, about 27,000 spectators filled the stands at the Padang to witness the National Day Parade (NDP), celebrating Singapore’s 59th birthday.
This year’s parade is the first attended by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam (who was sworn into office in September 2023) and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (who assumed office in May 2024) in their new capacities as head of state and head of government, respectively.
The pre-parade segment – with musical and dance performances, athletics displays and carnival floats – was concluded by the arrival of the Singapore Armed Forces Parachute Team (the Red Lions) landing in the Padang.
After the march-in of the parade contingents, there was a tribute to Senior Minister Lee Hsieng Loong, who served as Singapore’s third prime minister from August 2004 to May 2024, thanking him for his service to the nation.
After the Salute To The Nation by five F-16 fighter jets and the 21-gun presidential salute, President Tharman inspected the five Guard of Honour contingents and conducted the traditional drive-past of the parade grounds, concluding the military ceremonial parade segment. This was followed by a Dynamic Defence Display, which demonstrated the newest capabilities from the Singapore Armed Forces and the Home Team, as well as commemorating four decades of Total Defence.
The show segment of NDP 2024 showcased Singapore’s diverse heritage and communities, with a rousing musical montage of Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil songs celebrating its people, food, society and future. Concluding the festivities, all attendees recited the pledge and sang the National Anthem as a spray of fireworks filled the sky.
Capping off the nation’s birthday celebrations in style, Singaporean Max Maeder won the bronze medal in kitefoiling at the Paris Olympics. He ended the country’s eight-year medal drought, becoming the Republic’s youngest Olympic medallist in the process.
