First launched in 1997 by the
Ministry of Education (MOE) in schools, the event commemorates the
1964 race riots which took place on 21 July and 2 September when
Singapore was a state of Malaysia from 1963 to 1965. 36 people had lost their lives, hundreds were severely injured and thousands were detained. There were also
numerous other communal riots and incidents throughout the 1950s and 1960s leading to and after
Singapore's independence in August 1965. Racial Harmony Day has since expanded its reach. Today, grassroots organisations such as the
People's Association and the
Community Development Councils are also involved.
Schools On this day, students in schools across the nation are encouraged to be dressed in other cultures' traditional costumes such as the
Cheongsam, the
Baju Kurung or
Saree. Traditional delicacies are a feature of the celebration. Traditional games such as five stones, zero points, and hopscotch are played, where inter-class competitions are sometimes organised. Some activities introduced by schools include designing
Kolams and Maruthani and
Henna hand painting. Students are also educated on racism and racial stereotypes. ==Declaration==