IT was a day of firsts. On the final day of one of the most divisive parliaments in British political history, MPs joined together to back a compensation scheme for vulnerable abuse victims.
Described as a "unique piece of legislation", the bill is the first of its kind in the UK.
In an emotional day in the House of Commons, MPs heard of the unimaginable abuse suffered by victims, many of whom died before they could receive redress.
Secretary of State Julian Smith's voice frequently broke as he read victims' testimonies, including a child migrant to Australia who had "a nightmare every night of my life" but died before he could sign his statement to the Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) inquiry.
Mr Smith's message to the Commons, Shadow Northern Ireland Minister Stephen Pound said, was "one of the most powerful speeches I have ever heard in my 22 years on these benches".
For survivors, many of whom have campaigned for redress for well over a decade, the bill was a long time coming.
On many occasions, survivors' hopes were repeatedly dashed. The HIA inquiry, whose final report was published in January 2017, gave victims a voice.
But the subsequent collapse of Stormont meant the inquiry was a false dawn, with its recommendations never acted upon.
That the legislation was passed was due in large part thanks to the dogged and committed work of victims' groups who pushed MPs and peers to pass the bill before next month's election.
While government officials are still trying to work out when the first compensation payments can be made, MPs said yesterday was a day for remembering survivors and those who had died, still reliving the horrors of their childhood.
And the Commons was in agreement about one thing - the horrors of institutional abuse should never happen again.