Flag of Germany
When Heinrich XI, Prince Reuss of Greiz was appointed by Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor to rule the then-new Principality of Reuss-Greiz on 12 May 1778, the flag adopted by the "Fürstentum Reuß-Greiz" was the first-ever appearance of the black-red-gold tricolour in its modern arrangement in any sovereign state within what today comprises Germany – the Reuss elder line that ruled the principality used a flag whose proportions were close to a "nearly square"-shape 4:5 hoist/fly ratio, instead of the modern German flag's 3:5 figure.
Law in Nazi Germany
This stated that the national colours of Germany were black, red and white, also affirming the swastika flag as the new national flag. In the words of Hitler, this was created to “repay a debt of gratitude to the movement, under whose symbol Germany regained its freedom, in that they fulfil a significant item on the program of the National Socialist Party.”