American Embassy re-opens in Cuba

President Obama met with President Raul Castro of Cuba  on September 29, 2015 to discuss recent advances in relations between the United States and Cuba, as well as additional steps each government can take to deepen bilateral cooperation. The two Presidents discussed the recent successful visit of Pope Francis to both countries.  President Obama highlighted U.S. regulatory changes that will allow more Americans to travel to and do business with Cuba, while helping to improve the lives of the Cuban people.  The President welcomed the progress made in establishing diplomatic relations, and underscored that continued reforms in Cuba would increase the impact of U.S. regulatory changes.  The President also highlighted steps the United States intends to take to improve ties between the American and Cuban peoples, and reiterated our support for human rights in Cuba.

After 54 years of animosity, the United States and Cuba have formally restored diplomatic ties.

That means that the U.S. opened an embassy in Havana and Cuba opened an embassy in Washington, D.C.

In truth, both countries had for years already been running robust interest sections in both capitals. Today, however, both of those missions were upgraded.

During a ceremony full of pomp and circumstance, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez raised the Cuban flag at the embassy in Washington.

The last time the Cuban flag flew in that location was in 1961, before the U.S. broke ties with the communist island.

Secretary of State John Kerry presided over a flag-raising ceremony that was marked by the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." "Let me be clear: The establishment of normal diplomatic relations is not something that one government does as a favor to another. It is something that two countries do together when the citizens of both will benefit," Kerry told the crowd gathered outside of the embassy.

Three U.S. Marines who were present when the flag was taken down in 1961 were there to help raise the flag : Master Gunnery Sergeant Jim Tracy, Lance Corporal Larry C. Morris and Corporal F.W. Mike East.

After more than five decades of hostility, diplomats from both countries in July agreed to reopen embassies in their capital cities. Since the late 1970s, diplomats had maintained only de facto embassies, called "interests sections."