Sunday night was party time for Singapore, as the city state with a population of 4.84 million was marking its 44th birthday at the Marina Bay floating platform.

On this occasion, 12 Red Lions parachuters made a flawless landing on the floating platform, and three F-16s fighters of the Singapore Air Force swooped across the bay in what is known as the salute to the nation in the early part of the National Day Parade (NDP). 

The guard-of-honor was inspected by Singapore's President S.R. Nathan, while he was being given a 21-gun salute. With the aim to underscore the city state's multi-ethnic mix, some cultural performances were also held. 

The NDP was witnessed by nearly 27,000 people from the parade stands while thousands more caught the show around the bay area, on television and online.
It was on Aug. 9, 1965 that Singapore gained its independence from Malaysia.