Singapore's national flower

Source:http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/kagayakuphoto/An%20Orchid%20A%20Week/vanda_miss_joaquim_sml.jpg

How did this flower become Singapore's national flower?
In 1981,the Ministry of Culture set up a national committee to select a representative national flower “as part of an overall effort to foster national pride and identity”.
40 flowers were considered, out of the 40 flowers considered,30 are orchids.Out of the orchids, Vanda Miss Joaquim was chosen as it represented resilience and yearround blooming quality.

About Vanda Miss Joaquim
Vanda Miss Joaquim was also selected as it was a "natural hybrid and indigenous to Singapore". It was named after Miss Agnes Joaquim who found the flower in her garden.It was registered as Singapore’s first orchid hybrid and the world’s first Vanda hybrid, and soon became popular all over the world as a cut flower due to its beauty and hardiness.
In 1985,Vanda Miss Joaquim was announced as the national flower by the misnister of culture.

The symbol of the flower is found in national day posters and in currencies,stamps and some soveniors.
Source:(http://mystory.sg/content/1568)

Singapore's national anthem

The National Anthem, "Majulah Singapura" (meaning "Onward Singapore"), is Singapore's identity as a nation.
'Majulah Singapura' was composed in 1958 by Zubir Said. Then Mayor of the City Council of Singapore, Mr Ong Eng Guan,met up with Zubir Said to write an official song to commemorate the newly renovated Victoria Theatre. It was first played by the Singapore Chamber Ensemble. It was performed again on 3 December 1959 as Singapore's National Anthem.

When was the new version released?

-In 19 January 2001, the Majulah Singapura was recorded. Mr Phoon Yew, a great composer, arranged the recording to help Singaporeans to think forward and to strive for their goals.

How can it be used?

1. Public and private organisations can sing or play the National Anthem, on any appropriate occasion. Example: school daysSingaporeans are encouraged to sing the Anthem on occasions of national celebration or national significance.
2. Either the instrumental or vocal versions may be played. Besides the versions produced by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA), other rearranged versions may also be used, provided that the tune and lyrics of the Anthem are complete and performed with dignity.
3. Whenever it is played or sung,everyone must stand at attention as a mark of respect.

How can it not be used?

1. It must only be sung following the original lyrics, not any translation of those lyrics.
2. The lyrics cannot be used for other songs nor the melody.

(source:http://mystory.sg/content/1566)(adapted)
Here is video of the national anthem...(taken from youtube)


(source:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OebyMin4SR8)