Belgium Flag - Kingdom of

The national flag of Belgium contains three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red. The vertical design was based on the flag of France and the colours from the former the duchy of Brabant.

In 1830, when the catholic population revolted against the Orange or protestant controlled United Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Belgian revolution was born.To counter the riots, a civil guard was established bearing the colours of the former duchy of Brabant.

The Belgian flag was adopted January 23, 1831, following independence from the Netherlands in 1830.

The flag was key to the revolt, because the colours served as a reminder of the former Brabant flag. A flag which symbolized the revolt of 1789 against the former Austrian occupiers of the Netherlands. Vertical stripes were adopted to ensure it was distinguishable from the flag of the Netherlands.

Article 193 of the Belgian Constitution revised the colours and of the Belgian National flag to Red, Yellow and Black changing the look of the official flag.