Singapore History – Modern Singapore History dates to the arrival of Sir Stamford Raffles in 1826 Later the British bought Singapore and turned it into a major port. Singapore, Penang and Malacca came together to form the Straits Settlement. Singapore prospered with the increase of trade with Asia, the opening of the Suez Canal and the coming of steamships. In 1867, the Straits Settlement became a British Crown Colony and formed close links with Britain and prospered from increased trade.

After the First World War, in 1921, the British Navy constructed a major base in Singapore and later on an important air base giving Singapore strategic importance.

The Japanese invaded Singapore in 1942 in order to control the allied port and airbase. During the rest of World War II, the population of Singapore suffered greatly and it wasn’t until 1945 that the British regained control of the island.

Following on the end of WWI, the Straits Settlement was ended and Singapore alone became a British

Crown Colony. In 1959, Singapore became self governing and in 1965 it became an independent nation in its own right.