CUBA-U.S. DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS RESTORED

With the raising of the Cuban flag in front of its embassy in Washington DC, diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States have been officially restored. Relations were officially broken off by President Eisenhower in 1961, just ahead of President Kennedy's inauguration.

Cuban foreign minister, Bruno Rodriquez at the ceremonies

With the ceremony attended by Cuba's foreign minister, Bruno Rodriguez, he becomes the first Cuban official at this level to visit the U.S. since Fidel Castro visited to discuss Cuban-U.S. relations shortly after taking power in 1959, when Dwight Eisenhower was president.

Fidel Castro visits with then U.S. Vice-President Richard Nixon.

While the U.S. embassy opened this morning (July 20th) it will be officially opened on August 11, when Secretary of State John Kerry visits Cuba.

- Mark