It was a day of history, and hugs and smiles, of destiny.

On Monday this week, the most powerful country on earth recognized the modern capital of the Jewish state.

It was 70 years in the making.

Speaker after speaker rejoiced in the “history” of the day, the long wait that stretched out over 12 US presidents. But here we are, on the 14th day of the fifth month of the second millennium plus 18, and the US embassy is now in Jerusalem.

The day began at Teddy Stadium, where shuttle buses transported hundreds of VIPs (and a few dozen journalists) to the new embassy building. The mood was one of anticipation, disbelief, and good fortune. Is this really happening? Am I really witnessing it?

After we passed through two layers of tight security, we entered a specially constructed auditorium, festooned in red, white, and blue. The kippahs appeared to outnumber the bare heads. Senators and congressman schmoozed with rabbis. Former presidential candidates (Gov. Mike Huckabee, Michelle Bachmann) greeted laymen. In the long wait before the official ceremony began, the crowd circulated: hands were shaken, old acquaintances were renewed, and everyone marveled over the day.

One of the words bandied about with regularity was “miracle.” To the participants at Monday’s event, it seemed clear that Israel is a miracle, the rebirth of the state is a miracle, even the election of Donald Trump, in the words of Rabbi Marvin Hier, was a miracle. Who woulda thunk it?

Rabbi Hier told me a story. A short time after the Balfour Declaration that recognized a national home for the Jewish People, two young men shared a bunk in an army barracks in Oklahoma. One was named Eddie Jacobson, the other was named Harry Truman. The two became fast friends and later opened a business together. Truman ascended to the presidency and Jacobson became a traveling salesman. At the moment that Israel was born — 70 years to the day that the US opened its embassy in Jerusalem — Truman was wavering over whether to recognize the nascent state. Into the Oval Office walked Eddie Jacobson, his old friend, who talked some sense into his former bunkmate.

The other catchphrase at the embassy opening was the word, “reality,” which was repeated several times in the speeches of diplomats and politicians. President Trump used it in his video address, as did his son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner. Prime Minister Netanyahu also used the word. It has come time to recognize the reality. Jerusalem always was, and always will be, the capital of Israel.

It’s official now, made startlingly clear by the huge United States seal, bolted to the new building in the Arnona neighborhood of southern Jerusalem: “Embassy of the United States, Jerusalem.” In a former no-man’s land where Jordanian snipers once preyed, the US ambassador, David Friedman, will now set up office. And other ambassadors are sure to follow.

Already we know that Guatemala and Paraguay are coming. And maybe soon the Czech Republic and Romania, and maybe after them the Philippines, Bolivia, and Slovakia.

The Europeans mostly boycotted the event. Seventy years after the Holocaust, they’re still battling the Jews.

But it is no matter, as Rabbi Efrem Goldberg (visiting from Boca Raton for a day) aptly put it. We always knew where the capital of Israel was; we’re just sorry it took everybody else so long to recognize the reality.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 710)