Marking 180 Years of The Straits Times

From the smell of the morning newspaper's fresh print, to the notification ping from a mobile phone signaling the arrival of the evening newsletter summing up the day's key news stories, The Straits Times has become part of Singaporeans' daily life since its very first edition landed on July 15, 1845, as an eight-page weekly.

- Esther Loi

A replica of the first issue of The Straits Times was given to each of the 200 guests at the newspaper's 180th anniversary gala dinner at Jewel Changi Airport on July 11.

The guests included Prime Minister Lawrence Wong; Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo; and Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information and Health Tan Kiat How.

Speaking at the dinner, PM Wong said that in a new media environment, ST should remain a unifying force to help Singaporeans make sense of complex issues, provide high-quality and reliable content, as well as speak with a Singaporean voice to the world.

"Now, more than ever, Singapore needs trusted media, to help us navigate a more complex world, to discern fact from falsehood, and to build common ground in an age of rapid change and complexity," he said.