In 1579, the union of seven provinces of the northern Netherlands Holland, Zeeland, Friesland, Groningen, Utrecht, Gelderland, and Overijssel that, as the United Provinces, became the basis of opposition to the Spanish crown and the foundation of the present-day Dutch state.
Ghana was the first country to adopt the pan-African colours. The star is known as the ‘lode star of African freedom’. Effective date: 28 February 1966.