SAT Question e0bd4f8a: Transitions answer and explanation

English - Transitions - Sequence Transition
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In 1942, the 1,500-mile Alaska Highway was constructed in under nine months, largely due to the skilled work of nearly 4,000 African American soldiers from US Army engineering regiments. The soldiers’ contribution was overlooked for decades. ______ in 2017, lawmakers declared October 25 a day of recognition—“Alaska Highway Day”—for the troops who helped build this critical roadway.
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Difficulty:Easy
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?