After several hours of debates and failed amendments to allow the entire state to vote on the removal of the Confederate battle flag in from the statehouse grounds in South Carolina, the state Senate voted 37-3 to have it removed Monday.

This clear and decisive bipartisan vote echoes a sea-change in a conservative state that has hold on to this divisive symbol for dear life for more than 50 years.

While a vote in the state House is still required for the flag to be officially removed, this vote by the state Senate, we can only hope, is a sign of things to come.