Feb. 1 marks the first day of Black History Month, and suddenly the study of the Black experience may feel like an act of defiance.

This year's Black History Month theme celebrates the role of Black labor in building the nation through industry or community work.

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.

From Canada and the United Kingdom to Costa Rica and Australia, Black people's impact extends far beyond US borders. Here's how Black Excellence is celebrated in some unexpected places.

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.

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,