Exactly 21 years back on October 3, 1990, German Democratic Republic (DDR) or more popularly known as East Germany merged with Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) making it a uniform one country and one flag – the Weimar colours ‘Schwarz - Rot - Gold’.
As you all certainly know, the colours of
the German flag are black, red and gold. They derived from the uniform of “Hunters
of Lutzow” who wore black coats with red seams and golden buttons, dated
from the German raising against Napoleon-I, in the War of Liberation in
1813-14. This colour combination became associated with German Republican ideals. 
Students
marching at Warburg Castle, 1817.
The unit ‘Hunters of Lutzow’ was officially founded in February
1813 as Königlich Preußisches von Lützow (Royal Prussian Free Corps von
Lützow). It was consisted mostly of
students and academics from all over Germany who had volunteered to fight
against Napoleon I of France.
Procession to Hambach Castle, 1832
In 1848, the first German Federal Parliament congregated and elected the Weimar colours as
German National Colours.
GERMAN EMPIRE (1872 -1918)
Because of dominant role of Prussia (which had a black
& white flag ) and the “Hanse-cities”, Hamburg, Bremen and Lubeck (which had a red & white
flag) in the following decades, the German
flag was changed to ‘Black - White - Red ’, known as 'Bismark colours' in 1892,
and were in use till 1919.
However, after
the end of World War-I, the original ‘Black, Red & Gold ’ flag was
re-introduced for Weimer Republic (1918 - 1933).
After the end of World War I, the original black, red and gold coloured flag was re-introduced.
After the end of World War I, the original black, red and gold coloured flag was re-introduced.
Third
Reich (1933 - 1945) during Hitler
regime the 'Hakenkreuz' bearing
a Swastika
was adopted as National flag.
With
the collapse of Third Reich after World War-II,
all Swastika
flags disappeared by order of the occupying powers
Upon foundation of German Federal Republic in 1949, the Weimar
colours “Schwarz-Rot-Gold” were re-adopted as National flags
Flag
of ‘DDR’ East Germany
1959 - 1989
In order to make
a distinction with the West German flag,
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