Since 1976, February has been designated as Black History Month, a month intended to appreciate important black figures in history and celebrate African American history in general. Seems like an important, educational, and necessary institution, right? In a country where black historical figures scarcely crop up in social studies textbooks or historically contextual pop culture, it seems like a no-brainer to establish a time to recognize forgotten heroes.

However, many white people don't see the need for a month to commemorate black history. They argue that figures like President Barack Obama, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Martin Luther King, Jr. have provided enough historical recognition for the black community. While these people are, needless to say, hugely influential and important, they aren't the only ones.

You may have heard of... John Boehner, the former Speaker of the House, who resigned last October and was infamously critical of most of Obama's policies and, surprisingly, his own Republican colleagues who made passing legislation near impossible.

But have you heard of... Karen Bass, who is not only the speaker of the California State Assembly and part of the National African American Leadership Council, but was also the California co-chair of President Obama's 2008 campaign? She has spoken on important issues throughout her time, including Boko Haram and the Electrify Africa Act of 2015.

You may have heard of... Thomas Edison, who invented influential devices such as the light bulb and motion picture camera.

But have you heard of... Otis Boykin, the inventor of the pacemaker. In addition to this, he also invented a device used extensively by the United States military for guided missiles and by IBM on computers. When he died, he had 26 patents to his name.

You may have heard of... Andy Warhol, a leading artist in the movement known as pop art. His name conjures up images of colorful Campbell's soup cans and Marilyn Monroe sporting a neon complexion.

But have you heard of...Jean-Michael Basquiat, who first became famous as part of SAMO, a graffiti duo who tagged surfaces all over the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Later, he actually collaborated with Warhol on a few art pieces.

You may have heard of... Danny Winters, the white fictional character created for "Stonewall," a film intended to encapsulate the revolutionary Stonewall Riots, the catalyst of the modern gay rights movement. Winters was portrayed as the protester who threw the first brick and started the riots.

But have you heard of... Marsha P. Johnson, the transgender woman who truly threw the first brick? A popular gay liberation activist, she continued to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights for her entire life, until her mysterious death.

You may have heard of... Chris Kyle, the sniper in the United States military with the most recorded kills, immortalized in both his memoir and accompanying movie, "American Sniper."

But have you heard of... the Montford Point Marines, who were the first black marines in the Marine Corps? At the beginning of World War II, they quickly established themselves as the best artillery gunners in the Marine Corps, breaking almost every accuracy record in training.

Needless to say, Black History Month is still an incredibly significant fixture in our year, and it's time that people stopped questioning its importance.