the flag is the same as the flag of the earlier kingdom of libya, used from 1951 to 1969. during the dictatorship of muammar al-gaddafi the flag was changed twice and it was just a plain field of green. it was unique for being the only national flag in the world with just one color and no design, emblems, coat of arms, or any other details. it was adopted on 11 november 1977.