 The 'German colours' black, red and gold were so popular – from its beginnings as a Thuringian principality's state flag in 1778 – that it did not seem necessary to mention them in the constitution of 1849.The flag was used for the Imperial Fleet, also during the short battle near Heligoland, on 4 June 1849.This was the first and only maritime battle in which these colours were involved.