ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska is commemorating 75 years since nearly 4,000 segregated Black soldiers toiled in harsh weather and terrain to help build a highway across the state and Canada.

In this 1942 photo provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Office of History, soldiers work at a makeshift bench while working on the Alaska Highway, in the Northern Sector of Alaska. Nearly 4,000 segregated black soldiers helped build the highway across Alaska and Canada during World War II, a contribution largely ignored for decades but drawing attention as the 75th anniversary approaches. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Office of History via AP)

The soldiers worked on the 1,500-mile (2,400-kilometer) highway during World War II, a contribution largely ignored for decades.

This Oct. 25, 1942, photo provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Office of History, shows Corporal Refines Slims, Jr., left, and Private Alfred Jalufka shaking hands at the “Meeting of Bulldozers” for the ALCAN Highway in the Yukon Territory in Beaver Creek, Alaska. Nearly 4,000 segregated black soldiers helped build the highway across Alaska and Canada during World War II, a contribution largely ignored for decades but drawing attention as the 75th anniversary approaches. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Office of History via AP)

It took the soldiers working from the north just over eight months to meet up with white soldiers coming from the south to connect the two segments on Oct. 25, 1942. The route set the foundation for the only land link to Alaska.

This undated photo provided by Bert Larkins shows Leonard Larkins as a young soldier. Larkins and nearly 4,000 other segregated black soldiers helped build a highway across Alaska and Canada during World War II, a contribution largely ignored for decades but drawing attention as the 75th anniversary approaches (Bert Larkins via AP)

State lawmakers voted this year to set aside each Oct. 25 to honor the Black soldiers who worked on the Alaska Highway. The anniversary has gained attention this summer with multiple Alaska events.

This June 5, 2017, photo shows World War II veteran Leonard Larkins at an event in Anchorage, Alaska, celebrating the 75th anniversary of construction of the Alaska Highway while someone holds an iconic photo of a black and white soldier shaking hands when the two sides building the road met in 1942. Larkins, of New Orleans, was among scores of segregated black soldiers who toiled in North America’s harshest weather and terrain to help build a 1,500-mile highway across Alaska and Canada as a supply route during World War II. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Leonard Larkins of Louisiana was among the Black soldiers who helped build the route. The 96-year-old applauds lawmakers for finally recognizing their role.

Lawmakers note the soldiers’ work was a factor in the Army’s integration in 1948.

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