Racial Harmony Day facts for kids

Racial Harmony Day in Singapore helps everyone get along, no matter their background. It is a special day to celebrate how people from different races and cultures can live together peacefully.

This day happens every year on July 21st. Schools and community groups often plan fun activities. These events help people learn about and respect each other's traditions.

Why We Celebrate Racial Harmony Day

Racial Harmony Day was first started in 1997. The Ministry of Education introduced it in schools. The day remembers a sad event from Singapore's past.

A Look Back: The 1964 Riots

On July 21, 1964, Singapore experienced some serious problems. These were called the 1964 racial riots. At that time, Singapore was part of Malaysia. During these events, some people were hurt, and others lost their lives.

These riots showed how important it is for everyone to live in peace. Racial Harmony Day helps us remember this lesson. It teaches us to work together to prevent such problems from happening again.

Growing Together

Since 1997, Racial Harmony Day has grown bigger. Now, many community groups also join in the celebrations. Groups like the People’s Association help organize events. They work to bring people closer.

How Schools Celebrate

Schools play a big part in Racial Harmony Day. Students learn about different cultures in fun ways.

Dress Up and Learn

On this day, students can wear traditional clothes from other cultures. You might see friends dressed in a Cheongsam, a Baju Kurung, or a Saree. This helps everyone appreciate different styles.

Tasty Treats and Fun Games

Schools often have traditional foods to try. You might also get to play old-fashioned games. Games like five stones, zero points, and hopscotch are popular. Sometimes, classes even have friendly competitions!

Some schools also teach students how to make Kolam designs. These are beautiful patterns made on the floor. You might also learn about Henna hand painting. These activities help students explore different art forms.

Harmony Night

Harmony Night is another event linked to Racial Harmony Day. It started in 2004. This event brings together different religious groups in Singapore. It is a way to show how people from various faiths can work together.

The main goal of Harmony Night is to promote peace and understanding. It often includes performances and discussions. These events help people appreciate Singapore's diverse community.

Harmony Games

The Harmony Games are an annual event. They bring Singaporeans from different backgrounds together. People celebrate their differences and build stronger friendships. These games help everyone feel like one big family.

Declaration of Religious Harmony

During Racial Harmony Day, schools often read the Declaration of Religious Harmony. This declaration is a promise. It states that people in Singapore will respect each other's religions.

Religious leaders also meet around July 21st. They pledge their support for this declaration. This shows how important it is to have peace among different religious groups.

See also

• 1964 race riots in Singapore
• Maria Hertogh riots
• 13 May Incident
• Total Defence Day