Honouring the First Citizens: Founders’ Memorial Launches ‘Project Citizens – The First Million’ for SG60

As Singapore marks its 60th year of independence in 2025, the Founders’ Memorial is spotlighting the stories of its earliest citizens through a heartfelt national campaign: Project Citizens – The First Million. Launched in April 2025 and running until March 2026, the initiative honours over 200 members of Singapore’s founding generation, including pioneers like Justice Choor Singh and Mdm Lau Ah Loy, who were among the first to receive their iconic pink identity cards after the National Registration Act took effect in May 1966.

By the end of that year, nearly one million Singaporeans had formally become citizens of the newly independent nation. Now, six decades on, their stories take centre stage—illuminating the resilience, multicultural values, and unity that shaped the Singapore we know today.

A Nationwide Celebration of Identity and Reflection

Project Citizens – The First Million is a year-long tribute designed to connect generations and inspire reflection on the meaning of citizenship. The campaign unfolds across three key platforms:

Senior Engagement Programme

Through storytelling sessions held across Singapore, seniors share their lived experiences of early nation-building. Volunteers guide conversations, recording personal accounts that shed light on the values and aspirations that built the nation.

An intergenerational conversation kit—distributed in schools and available on the Memorial’s website—further encourages families to reflect on what it means to be Singaporean. The kit also includes a QR code for story submissions, inviting citizens to contribute their own tributes to the founding generation.

Project Citizens Pop-up

From April 2025 to March 2026, a travelling exhibition will make stops at over 20 locations, including libraries, community centres, and SG60 events. Through dioramas, historical vignettes, and interactive zones, visitors can relive key moments in Singapore’s citizenship journey—from breaking away from British subjecthood to embracing national identity.

Guests can also pen messages to Singapore’s first citizens and stand a chance to win exclusive Founders’ Memorial merchandise.

The pop-up debuted at Tampines Regional Library and Clementi Public Library, and has since travelled to National Family Festival @ Expo, Bedok, and Woodlands Regional Libraries. The full schedule is available here.

Not Mere Spectators: The Makings of Multicultural Singapore

Opening at National Gallery Singapore from October 2025 to March 2026, this immersive experience explores how multiculturalism became a cornerstone of Singapore’s identity between the 1950s and 1970s—and how citizens today can actively uphold it.

As the second pilot exhibition by the Founders’ Memorial, this showcase follows 2023’s “Semangat yang Baru” and will experiment with art, media, and interactive storytelling to create reflective, thought-provoking encounters.

For updates and participation details, visit here.