Starting in February, the United States recognizes and celebrates the month of Black history.

Since 1915, the month of February has been dedicated to the acknowledgement of African American achievements in U.S history. Also referred to as African American History Month, the celebration has been recognized on a national scale from 1976 onward.

The event was first founded by historian Carter G. Woodson, with only a week in its dedication at the time. It was decided at this time to take place in February, for encompassing the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14). It wasn’t until the 1960s that the week had evolved into a month, and in 1976, it was officially stated by President Gerald Ford as a national observance.

This week marks the first of the event. And in the year 2021, the annual theme of Black History Month is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity.”