The Prime Minister Inaugurates the Courtesy Campaign
Date: 01/06/1979
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

On 1 June 1969, Mr Lee delivered a speech at the launch of the National Courtesy Campaign. He highlighted the significance of sincerity as a language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, and urged Singaporeans to nurture good relationships with each other to create a pleasant social environment.
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Use Your Hands Campaign - Inauguration by the Prime Minister
Broadcast Date: 06/06/1976
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

The “Use Your Hands” Campaign was launched in June 1976 as part of efforts to reverse the societal shift away from blue-collar jobs. At the Campaign's inauguration, Mr Lee highlighted the need for the “hard core of workers in all the essential industries to be Singapore citizens”. He also acknowledged the role that schools and parents played in shaping such attitudes, and outlined the Government's multi-pronged approach to tackle stigmatisation of blue-collar labour.

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the Opening of the 'Keep Singapore Clean Campaign'
Date: 01/10/1968
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

As one of Singapore’s earliest national campaigns, “Keep Singapore Clean” addressed cleanliness and public health issues that had accompanied the nation's post-war population growth. Speaking at the campaign's launch on 1 October 1968, Mr Lee stressed the need for Singaporeans to take ownership of public spaces as extensions of their homes, and the importance of a “clean and green” environment as a marker of the nation’s social progress.
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Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew Opens 'Keep Singapore Pollution Free' Campaign
Date: 01/10/1971
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

Following the success of the inaugural “Keep Singapore Clean” campaign in 1968, the Government introduced a series of targeted environmental campaigns over the following decades. On 1 October 1971, Mr Lee launched the “Keep Singapore Clean and Pollution Free” campaign. In his speech, he reiterated the importance of civic consciousness in maintaining high standards of public cleanliness, while also emphasising the new campaign’s focus on cleaning up Singapore’s waterways to safeguard its water resources.

Address by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the Clean Rivers Commemoration 1987
Date: 02/09/1987
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

In the 1970s and 80s, a Master Plan to clean up the Singapore River and Kallang Basin was underway. In a speech given at the Clean Rivers Commemoration on 2 September 1987, Mr Lee celebrated the plan’s progress, highlighting the significant reduction in pollution and strong odours, and the resurgence of aquatic biodiversity. At the same time, he acknowledged the necessity of unpopular measures to change deeply ingrained habits and uproot long-standing industries.

全国推广华语运动开幕典礼 Promote the Use of Mandarin Campaign Opening Ceremony
Date: 07/09/1979
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

At the 1979 opening ceremony of the Speak Mandarin Campaign, Mr Lee reflected on the fragmented socio-linguistic state of Chinese Singaporeans, underscoring the importance of Mandarin as a common language within the community.
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Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew Opens Speak Mandarin Campaign
Date: 21/09/1984
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

At the launch of the 1984 Speak Mandarin Campaign, Mr Lee highlighted the need to “persist in bilingualism”. He emphasised the role of English as a lingua franca among ethnicities, while Mandarin would allow Chinese Singaporeans to emotionally identify with their shared heritage.

Seminar On 'Education and Nation-Building': Opening Address by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew (Part 1)
Date: 27/12/1966
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

This is Part 1 of Mr Lee's speech. In 1966, a three-day seminar on “Education and Nation-Building” was held at the Singapore Conference Hall. Among those in attendance were school principals, Ministry of Education officials, school inspectors, and representatives from teachers’ unions. Mr Lee delivered the seminar's opening address, in which he underscored the role of teachers in imparting values and knowledge, cultivating intellectual curiosity, and building a strong bilingual foundation in young Singaporeans.

Seminar On 'Education and Nation-Building': Opening Address by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew (Part 2)
Date: 27/12/1966
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

This is Part 2 of Mr Lee's speech. In 1966, a three-day seminar on “Education and Nation-Building” was held at the Singapore Conference Hall. Among those in attendance were school principals, Ministry of Education officials, school inspectors, and representatives from teachers’ unions. Mr Lee delivered the seminar's opening address, in which he underscored the role of teachers in imparting values and knowledge, cultivating intellectual curiosity, and building a strong bilingual foundation in young Singaporeans.

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at Malay Teachers' Union Seminar
Date: 31/05/1978
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

At the Malay Teachers’ Union Seminar in 1978, Mr Lee explained Singapore's bilingual policy in Malay. He emphasised how multi-lingual individuals could tap on the wisdom of multiple cultures, civilisations, and approaches to life, thereby setting themselves apart from economic and political heavyweights in the English-speaking world.

Click here for the transcript of Mr Lee's English speech.

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at Opening of Queenstown Branch Library
Date: 30/04/1970
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

On the evening of 30 April 1970, Queenstown Branch Library, Singapore’s first branch library, was officially opened by Mr Lee, the Prime Minister then. Mr Lee spoke about his vision for an educated, literate society, and outlined the important role that libraries play in realising this vision.

Opening of the Victoria Concert Hall by the Prime Minister
Date: 01/10/1980
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

The Victoria Concert Hall has been home to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) since its inception in 1979. Renovations on the former Victoria Memorial Hall were completed in 1980, and the building was renamed the Victoria Concert Hall. In his speech at the opening of the newly renovated hall, Mr Lee emphasised the need to build gifted musical talent in Singapore.

Opening Ceremony of the National Stadium
Date: 21/07/1973
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

In his speech at the opening of the National Stadium on 21 July 1973, Mr Lee highlighted that the National Stadium’s purpose was as a home for athletic games and community bonding, which he hoped would cultivate a national interest in sports, and a healthier, fitter society.
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Opening of the New Jurong Town Community Centre Officiated by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew
Date: 26/11/1977
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

In the 1960s, residential flats had begun emerging in Taman Jurong and Boon Lay, but settlement in the area was slow due to a lack of infrastructure. Speaking at the unveiling of the Jurong Town Community Centre in 1979, Mr Lee reflected on Jurong’s progress since work first started and explained how the Centre’s new facilities were part of ongoing plans to provide high standards of living for workers, which would support economic growth.

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's Speech at the 21st Anniversary Celebration of the CCCs (Citizens' Consultative Committees)
Date: 14/11/1986
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

In 1986, a 21st Anniversary Dinner was held to commemorate the accomplishments of Singapore's Citizens’ Consultative Committees (CCCs). In his speech, Mr Lee congratulated the CCCs for their contributions as grassroots leaders and “natural leaders” of their communities, who translated feedback from the ground into priorities for the government to act on. He also thanked the CCCs for what he saw as their greatest contribution – maintaining racial harmony and social cohesion in Singapore’s early days of Independence.

Official Opening of the MRT by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew
Date: 12/03/1988
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

By 12 March 1988, Phases 1 and 1A of Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system were opened, consisting of 20 stations on the North-South and East-West Lines. Mr Lee gave a speech at the system's official opening, which highlighted the Government’s commitment to the creation of an affordable, efficient, and comprehensive public transport system amid the challenges of land scarcity and congestion.

Opening of the New Singapore General Hospital by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew
Date: 12/09/1981
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

The Singapore General Hospital officially opened to the public in 1981. Mr Lee, in his speech at the opening, praised the new hospital’s excellent facilities, which were to provide a home for talented healthcare specialists, thereby establishing Singapore as a global hub for world-class medical services.
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Speech by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at Balloting of Flats at Tanjong Pagar
Date: 15/06/1976
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

Speaking at a balloting ceremony in 1976 for 924 three-room flats in Tanjong Pagar, Mr Lee welcomed potential new constituents, who would be part of the Government’s plan to redevelop and breathe life back into the city centre. He urged young residents to contribute to a considerate and convenient living environment for all.
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Opening of the New TV Centre
Date: 26/08/1966
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

Television Singapura, Singapore’s first television station began transmissions in 1963. Following its merger with Radio Singapura to create a single broadcasting entity, the Singapore government unveiled a new Television Centre on 26 August 1966. At the opening ceremony, Mr Lee celebrated the advent of television as a transformative force in the nation. He highlighted its ability to bring information directly into homes, emphasising its role in shaping the future of Singapore and showcasing the country's embracement of new technologies.

"The New Generation We Want" - Speech by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew
Date: 10/08/1966
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

On 10 August 1966, Mr Lee addressed members of the public, who had gathered at the Queenstown Community Centre for National Day celebrations. In his speech, Mr Lee stressed the need to invest in Singapore's greatest resource – its people – and the importance of providing a good education to younger generations to develop a disciplined, resilient, and self-reliant society.
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Rapat Umum Hari Kebangsaan 国庆群众大会 The National Day Rally 1974
Date: 18/08/1974
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

At the 1974 National Day Rally, Mr Lee discussed the economic challenges faced by Singapore and the world during that time, including rising oil prices and burgeoning inflation rates in various countries, and the global economic outlook. Mr Lee encouraged Singaporeans to take these challenges in their stride, emphasising that the verve, vitality, and drive in them would be a crucial resource in weathering global economic upheaval.

Opening of the National Exhibition by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew
Date: 15/11/1984
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

In November and December 1984, a National Exhibition was held at Singapore’s World Trade Centre (now known as HarbourFront Centre) in celebration of 25 years of nation-building. At the opening ceremony on 15 November 1984, Mr Lee expressed his wishes that the exhibition’s narrative would allow Singaporeans to achieve a better understanding and appreciation for the shared values of tolerance and resilience that drove Singapore’s progress.
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Uchapan Perdana Menteri Mengenai Masa Depan Yang Tetap Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's Speech on National Day 1966 Cultural Show - Highlights 总理囯庆群众大会演讲
Date: 1966
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore

In this speech, delivered at a cultural show on National Day in 1966, Mr Lee highlighted the importance of integration, not assimilation, in the context of Singapore’s multi-ethnic society. Through the maintenance of common values, languages and cultures, Singapore could embrace its migrant history, while providing an equally satisfying life to one and all, regardless of background.