All Sections
Discover stories from across our collection
1207 items
28 October 2026
Legacy on a Hill: The Maqam Habib Noh
Topics
People
Places and Buildings
In a BiblioAsia Podcast episode, architectural historian Imran Tajudeen talks about the history and architecture of Maqam Habib Noh, including its multiethnic neighbourhood.
Podcast
23 October 2026
The 160-Year-Old Tomb of Holy Man Habib Noh
Topics
History
Perched on a hill off Palmer Road, Maqam Habib Noh was reopened in January 2026 after 18 months of renovations. It is the resting place of Habib Noh, a revered Muslim holy man. In this episode, architectural historian Imran Tajudeen takes us through the history of Habib Noh and his mausoleum, from the fascinating multi-ethnic neighbourhood that once surrounded it, to its wartime history and recent restoration.
Podcast
22 October 2026
Too Many Tongues? How Lee Kuan Yew’s 1979 Visit to Mauritius Influenced the Speak Mandarin Campaign
Topics
History
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew made a largely forgotten trip to the Republic of Mauritius, accompanied by three journalists, in August 1979. What they observed there would contribute to debates on language policy back in Singapore.
Article
18 October 2026
The Making of Merdeka Bridge and Nicoll Highway
Topics
History
Places and Buildings
Opened in 1956, Merdeka Bridge and Nicoll Highway reshaped Singapore’s eastern coastline, and transformed the way people travelled between the city and the suburbs.
Article
13 October 2026
Singapore at the Smithsonian: Ethnological Encounters at the National Museum of Natural History
Topics
Arts
Organisations
Tucked away in the cabinets of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is a curious collection of objects associated with Singapore. The stories behind them reveal visions of Singapore in the American imagination.
Article
13 October 2026
Rewriting the 15th Century: A New History of Singapore and the Rise of Melaka
Topics
History
The new edition of "Seven Hundred Years: A History of Singapore" uses Malay sources, Portuguese texts and Chinese Ming records to offer new perspectives on the decline of Temasek and the rise of the Melaka Sultanate.
Article
12 October 2026
The Mystery of the Missing Diplomat
Topics
People
In June 1956, Lim Yew Hock, Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Australia, bought a ticket to Sydney from Canberra. Then dropped off the face of the earth.
Article
8 October 2026
Puff Love: A Deep Dive into Singapore's Beloved Snack
Topics
Food
History
Curry puffs are crusty on the outside, and tender and heart-warmingly spicy on the inside, just like a good Singaporean.
Article
7 October 2026
New Books on Singapore History (January 2027)
Topics
Collection Highlights
Check out the new books in National Library Singapore.
Article
6 October 2026
Salvation for the Forgotten: The Kiew Lee Tong Temple’s Ritual for the Souls of the Dead
Topics
Culture
History
The Kiew Lee Tong Temple conducts a special ritual for the dead once every decade.
Article