It’s no secret that a certain level of iciness and hostility has been seen between the U.S. and Cuba since the Cold War. However, that ice may be melting with the reopening of the U.S. embassy in Cuba.

Tension began between the US and Cuba during the Cold War when then 34-year-old Fidel Castro’s relationship with the Soviet Union strengthened, and the Eisenhower administration severed diplomatic ties with the Castro’s government. Soon after, the U.S. attempted to assassinate Castro, causing him to allow the Soviet Union to store nuclear missiles on the island, aimed at the United States.

On Friday Aug. 14, 2015, Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Cuba for a short 12-hour stay in order to be at the flag raising ceremony to celebrate the embassy’s opening. He is the nation’s first top diplomat to visit the island in 70 years.

At the ceremony, Kerry spoke a few words to commemorate the moment. He said, “We are gathered here today because our leaders, President Obama and President Castro, made courageous decision to stop being the prisoners of history and to focus on the opportunities of today and tomorrow. This doesn’t mean we should or will forget the past.”

Although more work needs to be done in order to fully smooth out the issues between Cuba and the United States, the reopening of the US embassy is a large step in the right direction, and a very large on at that. To this writer, this whole experience seems like a good message along with a good cause.

Cuba hopes to attract more American tourists, thus boosting their weakening economy by reopening the embassy. If American’s enjoy anything, it’s traveling out of the states to see what other cultures are all about – especially when that country has been closed off for U.S. citizens for many years. Americans will enjoy the delicious street food, live music, and the weather. Plus, where better to learn salsa than in Cuba? Not to mention that the airfare to Cuba is a lot cheaper that say England or France.

In addition to boosting the Cuban economy, reopening the embassy allows the United States to show other countries that grudges can be overlooked and past difficulties can be forgotten. Tensions are always present between countries and while not all of them can be eased, Cuba and the United States are setting a good example.

The U.S. and Cuba are putting aside their colorful history to instead work together to build a better and brighter future for both parties. If more countries looked to bury past grudges and instead all work together, the world we live in would look mighty different.

However, I know as well as everyone else that the odds of that happening are rather low. We like the drama far too much. So for right now, we can all enjoy the advances being made in Cuba and hope that other countries will soon follow suit, whether with the U.S. or other countries.