(Singapore, 24 July 2026) NLB and the Ministry of Digital Development and Information’s permanent exhibition, The Albatross File: Singapore's Independence Declassified, will feature a new artefact related to the drafting of the National Pledge from 1 August 2026.  The new display comprises two letters between Singapore's first Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr S. Rajaratnam, and then-Minister for Education, Mr Ong Pang Boon, on the drafting of the National Pledge. One of the letters contains Mr Rajaratnam’s draft which introduced the important idea of forgetting differences of race, language and religion, and working together to build a democratic and equal society for the happiness and progress of the nation. This formed the basis of the National Pledge as we know it today. 

As the National Pledge marks its 60th anniversary, the letters offer a rare glimpse into the discussions that reveal the careful thought behind the words that generations of Singaporeans have recited since 1966. 

To give more Singaporeans the opportunity to appreciate Singapore's journey to independence, The Albatross File: Singapore's Independence Declassified will also remain open on National Day, from 10:00am to 9:00pm. Interested visitors can book their tickets at https://thealbatrossfile.nlb.gov.sg/.  

Ahead of the new artefact going on display, members of the public can also explore a special collections highlight by the National Archives of Singapore to learn more about the National Pledge. Available via Archives Online, NAS has curated archival broadcasts, photographs, documents, and oral history accounts, providing viewers with additional context on the origins and development of the National Pledge before they visit the exhibition from 1 August. The collections highlight can be viewed at https://go.gov.sg/pledge60.  

The addition of the National Pledge correspondence as well as the new collections highlight further enrich the exhibition by connecting Singapore's journey to independence with the shared values that continue to unite Singaporeans today. 

Such initiatives are part of NLB’s goals to connect Singaporeans to the Singapore Story by making Singapore's records, knowledge, and stories more accessible. “The Albatross File has enabled Singaporeans to gain a deeper appreciation of our nation's journey to independence through original archival records and first-hand accounts. The addition of these two letters offers fresh insights into the drafting of the National Pledge. Meanwhile, the Pledge60 website showcases pledge-related highlights from the extensive collection in our archives. We hope more Singaporeans will visit the exhibition, and the online showcase, during the National Day celebrations to discover these stories and reflect on the values that continue to unite us today,” said Ms Melissa Tam, Chief Executive Officer, NLB.

The Pledge artefacts will be displayed at the Albatross File exhibition from 1 August 2026 to 31 December 2026. 

Jointly developed by NLB and the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI), The Albatross File: Singapore's Independence Declassified exhibition invites visitors to experience Singapore's defining moments, from merger to separation, through immersive storytelling, historical replays and first-person narratives from the nation's founding leaders.  

For more information, please visit the NLB website, and NLB’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube channels.

ORDER HERE:  fcowanmedia@gmail.com : Or go to Amazon: The Orange Sofa: Unicorn Eyes: Walking Home:    Singapore Circuit Breaker.  Zero Visibility - The Rescue of the Thai Football Team trapped in the cave in Northern Thailand