Feb. 27 — In 1869, John Willis Menard rose from his seat in the chamber of the U.S. Congress to defend his status as the first African American elected to the institution, thus becoming the first Black to address Congress. Alas, he was denied the seat and returned to Florida where he became a school superintendent.

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 started as "Negro History Week" in February 1926 as a way to chronicle the accomplishments of African Americans in the aftermath of slavery.

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History has named the theme for this Black History Month.

What is Black History Month? Black History Month grew out of an effort to honor the most important people in the history of Black emancipation in the United States, according to t

This year's Black History Month theme is "African Americans and Labor," and plenty of local museums and institutions are putting on special events. State of play: The Library of Congress is showcasing a display on Black labor,