Singapore’s history can be traced back to the 14th century when it was a trading port for the Malay Srivijaya empire. The island was later ruled by various powers including the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. In 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles founded modern-day Singapore as a British colony and it soon became an important trading center due to its strategic location. During World War II, Singapore was occupied by the Japanese and suffered greatly. In 1963, Singapore joined Malaysia but the union did not last long and it gained independence in 1965. Since then, Singapore has transformed into a thriving metropolis with a strong economy, world-class infrastructure, and a diverse society.