In 1964, Singapore, a young independent nation, was grappling with multifaceted social and economic tensions amid its diverse populace, comprising mainly Chinese, Malays, and Indians. The racial riots, which began in July, were triggered by an altercation during a football match between the Malay and Chinese teams at the Jalan Besar Stadium. Following tensions that had been simmering for some time, the match's end escalated into violence as fans clashed, leading to a domino effect of riots in various parts of the island. The disturbances quickly spread, with mobs attacking each other in the streets, resulting in massive disruptions to daily life in Singapore.

The local government, led by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, faced a significant challenge in restoring order, deploying police and military forces to quell the violence. Despite these efforts, the riots continued intermittently over the next six weeks, with affected areas seeing looting, destruction, and a deepening sense of fear among residents. In total, 23 lives were lost, and 454 others were injured, marking one of the darkest moments in Singapore's early years of independence. The riots underscored the fragile ethnic relations in Singapore and pushed the government to rethink its policies regarding race and integration.

In the aftermath, the Singaporean government took decisive action to promote racial harmony and cohesion. Policies aimed at fostering integration among different ethnic groups were implemented, and stricter laws regarding public order were enacted. The events of 1964 left a lasting impact on Singaporean society and influenced the subsequent approach to multiculturalism in the nation.