It has been ages since I lasted posted something. :P

Since Racial Harmony Day is coming, it would be appropriate to write something about it. Isn't it? (: (See, I added emticons. :D)

Racial Harmony Day is celebrated annually on 21 July in schools. On this day, students are encouraged to wear traditional costumes (at least for my primary school), and the whole school will be in festive mood, celebrating it.

Over the day, students will learn about other races' culture, and might be allowed to play their traditional games and even eat traditional delicacies. For me, when I was in primary school, I had the chance to play gasing, and eat some Indian tidbit. (:(:(:

But behind this celebratory mood, there is actually a sad history behind it...... :(
The year was 1964, 21 July. It was Prophet Muhammad's birthday, and the Malays were at the Padang, celebrating. After the speeches, the procession went towards Geylang. Along the way, a policeman asked a group which had dispersed, to rejoin the main procession.

But instead of obeying the policeman's order, they attacked him instead. This led to racial riots, after the group of Malays attacked ethnic Chinese-Malay passers-by and spectators too. The riots were belived to have started at 5pm, along Kallang and Geylang Serai.

Curfew was ordered at 9.30pm to restore order; but in the first day of rioting, 4 were killed and 178 injured. At 6am the next day, curfew was lifted; but the fighting intensified, and curfew was once again ordered. It was not completely lifted until 2 August, 11 days after the first riot started.

During this period, about 23 people were killed, and 450 injured, with significant damage on properties and vehicles. Also, 3000 people, including 600 secret society members and 256 people charged with possession of dangerous weapons, while the rest were of violating curfew.

So, to commemorate it, the government set this day as Racial Harmony Day; and so today this is how we have Racial Harmony Day. :) :) :)

PS: 4days after 21July is important! hahaha

Credits:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_Harmony_Day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_Race_Riots