Black History Month wasn’t always a monthlong celebration. In February 1926, historian and author Carter G. Woodson created Negro History Week. It was a weeklong celebration in an effort to teach people about African-American history and the contributions of Black people.

Black History Month was recognized nationally in 1976, when President Gerald Ford designated the month as a time for the public to honor the contributions of Black Americans, according to the museum. The month has since inspired other groups and an appreciation of multicultural backgrounds.

Every Black History Month and Juneteenth, pioneers in African American history are often mentioned like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali and Harriet Tubman. They are revered and in the spotlight because they are on stamps,

Black History Month theme, African Americans and Labor, focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds.

Groups celebrating Black History Month are including this year’s theme of African Americans and Labor as part of their commemorations.

Beginning Feb. 1, schools, museums and communities across the nation will mark the start of Black History Month –- a celebration of Black history, culture and education. The history of the month dates back almost a century,