What is National History Day?
National History Day is an exciting way for students to study and learn about historical issues, ideas, people and events. This year-long educational program fosters academic achievement and intellectual growth. In addition to acquiring useful historical knowledge and perspective while developing entries and competing in a series of district, state and national contests, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will help them manage and use information now and in the future.
Students are encouraged to choose any topic in local, national, or world history and investigate its historical significance and relationship to the annually-chosen theme by conducting extensive primary and secondary research. After analyzing and interpreting their information, students present their finding in papers, exhibits, performances and documentaries that are evaluated by historians and educators.
District History Day contests are usually held in February or March. District winners then prepare for and compete at the state contests, usually held in late April or early May. The top two finishers in each category at the state contest become eligible to advance to the national contest held in June at the University of Maryland at College Park.
