Adopted in 1948; The flag of Italy has three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red. Design was inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in 1797. Colors are those of Milan (red and white) combined with the green uniform color of the Milanese civic guard. (ref: CIA World Factbook, Jan. 2014) In Italy, the flag is often referred to as il tricolore.