Important milestones in the life of Lee Kuan Yew

Born into a Chinese-rich family, Li Guangyu studied at prestigious schools before joining politics and became Singapore's first prime minister.

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The 'legendary' life of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew

Mr. Ly Quang Dieu spoke to the people in 1972. (Photo: Singapore Gov)

On September 16 , 1923 , Ly Quang Dieu was born into a wealthy Chinese family in Singapore. From 1936 to 1942, he studied in the famous schools of the Lion Island, Japan Times reported.

On February 1, 1942 , Japanese troops occupied Singapore. From 18 to 22 February 1942, Japanese fascists massacred about 50,000 to 100,000 Chinese Singaporeans. Lee Kuan Yew was forced to agree on Japanese troops.

In 1943 to 1944 , Lee Kuan Yew became an English editor for Hobudu - Japan's propaganda department.

From 1946 to 1949 , he studied at the London School of Economics and the Faculty of Law of Cambridge University, United Kingdom.

On December 23 , 1947 , Ly Quang Dieu secretly married Ms. Kha Ngoc Chi, a law student of Cambridge University.

In 1950 , he passed the exams in England, returned to Singapore to practice law. Trade unions are his close customers.

In November 1954 , Ly Quang Dieu became the co-founder of the Action People's Party (PAP).

In April 1955 , people elected Mr. Li to the Legislative Council.

In 1959 , PAP party won 43 out of 51 seats in the Council. He gave Singapore autonomous mechanism. He took office as prime minister at the age of 35 and was the first prime minister of the lion nation.

Lee Kuan Yew cried on television.(Photo: Channel News Asia)

On September 16 , 1963 , Singapore and Malaysia merged into the Malaysian Federation.

However, on August 9 , 1965 , Malaysia expelled Singapore because of political and racial crisis. Mr. Li cried on television when announcing his separation from Malaysia.

On August 8 , 1967 , Singapore became the founding nation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

From 1968 to 1972 , Ly Quang Dieu government applied measures to limit strikes, attract international investment and implement family planning, calling on couples to give birth to only two children.

In 1971 , British soldiers finally withdrew from Singapore.

In 1975, Lee Kuan Yew approved the construction of Changi Airport. It quickly became one of the largest aviation centers in the world.

On November 28 , 1990 , Lee Kuan Yew left the prime minister's seat, giving it to the Deputy Prime Minister Ngo Tac Dong. However, he remained in the position of 'Senior Minister' in the cabinet until 2004.

Lee Kuan Yew spoke with US President Barack Obama at the White House in 2009. (Photo: Reuters)

In August 2004 , Ly Hien Long, the second generation in the Ly family, assumed the position of Singapore's prime minister. Mr. Ly Quang Dieu holds the position of 'Minister of Advisors'.

On October 2 , 2010, Ms. Kha Ngoc Chi, Mr. Ly Quang Dieu's partner, died after many years of illness.

In May 2011 , Singapore general election. The party in charge of the PAP remains the majority but loses many popular votes. Mr. Li left his post of adviser minister.

In February 2013, Ly Quang Dieu suffered a stroke.

On February 5, 2015, he was hospitalized for severe pneumonia. Age of weak health made his health condition worse.

Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew died on March 23, 2015, and was 91 years old.