The Electric New Paper's A timeline of events	The question is not: 'Are you going to vote?' BUT 'Which party are you voting for?' What would politics be without its most eloquent, fiery and fervent advocates? LEE KUAN YEW: "... you saw how people had to live, they had to get rice, food, they had to feed their children. Therefore, they had to submit. So it was my first lesson on power and government and system and how human beings reacted." -- Mr Lee tells how the Japanese Occupation shaped his views on power and government Mr Lee became Singapore's first prime minister after the country gained internal self-government in 1959. Click to find out Lee Kuan Yew's secret of good government. LIM CHIN SIONG: Mr Lim was another prominent personality of the political scene in the 1950s and early '60s. But his political career ended abruptly. What happened? Former deputy Prime Minister Toh Chin Chye said during Mr Lim's funeral in 1996: "Lim Chin Siong and the Communist Party played a very important part in Singapore's political history and if they had won, Singapore would be very different today." Find out what admirers and critics have to say about the man The Straits Times called the "firebrand behind the tumultuous '50s". ONG ENG GUAN: The controversial first mayor of Singapore was well-known for his fiery, anti-colonial speeches. Extract from a news report: "The only thing that went as planned was the election of the PAP nominee, Mr Ong Eng Guan, as the colony's first Mayor. "His election had been impossible on the previous day because of his arrest after an altercation with police outside the City Hall." Find out what he did. DAVID MARSHALL: Mr Marshall's term in office was described as "15 months of smiles and scowls in the career of Singapore's first Chief Minister". What does it mean? Help! Little Susie is looking for a travelling partner. The journey is fraught with danger and unexpected obstacles. Are you brave enough to go with Susie on her journey of discovery? Lifelines: Who do you think are the most influential personalities of the period? Let us know, and tell us why you chose them. Best entries will be posted on our site.   Having at least 5Cs -- cash, career, condo, car and credit card -- that's the major concern of many Singaporeans today. So what bugged the people of a few decades ago? Click here for some grouses, views and observations. Mari kita raykat Singapura... He was a loving father but a disciplinarian, said the daughter of Zubir Said, the man who wrote our national anthem. Leslie's start page Chee Beng's start page Nura's start page Copyright © 1998 Singapore Press Holdings. All Rights Reserved.	The struggle The atmosphere was electric whenever people like Ong Eng Guan and Lee Kuan Yew took to the stage. Hong Lim Green, Fullerton Square, Anson, those were the hot spots.
		Besides these personalities, there were many others who also left their mark on our country's history. Dr Toh Chin Chye, S Rajaratnam, Devan Nair, Lim Yew Hock... I can go on and on.
Windows to the past		Ah! Let me tell you a story about our first mayor... Wait, I want to hear yours first!