National Day Rally 2004

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivers his maiden National Day Rally Speech at the University Cultural Centre, National University of Singapore on Sunday, August 22.

Parade Highlights

Singapore celebrated its 39th year of independence with the island's biggest birthday party.

Held at Singapore's National Stadium, the celebration was all pomp and pageantry, with even a surprise tribute to Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, who leaves office on 12 August.

Kicking off the celebration was a parade march-past, conducted with military-precision, but this was soon taken over by rousing music and dance.

If you have missed the sights and sounds of this year's National Day Parade, catch it at our parade section.

National Day Message

In his last National Day message before stepping down on 12 August, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong says things are looking up again as Singapore's economy expand by 10% in the first half of the year.

Read the full text of the Prime Minister's speech or watch the webcast here.