It was August 9, 1965. The ordinary people of Singapore sat frozen, their eyes glued to the television screens. Standing in front of the camera was their beloved leader, Lee Kuan Yew, with tears streaming uncontrollably down his face. It took him nearly 30 seconds to compose himself; he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his eyes. The reason behind his tears was terrifying. Singapore had just been literally kicked out of Malaysia—the very nation with which Lee had dreamed of buildin...
