The Cuban Revolution which began in July 1953 was to lead to more than half a century of bitterness between the US and Cuba.
Bitterness which divided not just politicians, but families too.
Now though, US tourists could soon be flying BACK to Havana... as these two once most intractable of enemies face each other at the negotiating table.
The U.S. and Cuba have just held high-level diplomatic talks, aimed at thawing their decades-long freeze in diplomatic and commercial relations.
Even the ailing father of the revolution, Fidel Castro, has given the talks his guarded blessing. In a statement, Castro he said that while he didn't trust US policy, a peaceful solution to the conflict was needed.
Most Cubans seem to back their former leader's cautious approach.
But how is the prospect of a change in relations with Cuba being viewed in Washington? We asked the American economist Irwin Stelzer, from the 91ÆÞÓÑ Institute in Washington.