National History Day (NHD) is a renowned academic competition that encourages students in grades 6-12 to explore and present historical research. Founded in 1974, NHD promotes the study and appreciation of history through a series of contests at the local, state, and national levels. Each year, thousands of students across the United States and international schools participate, showcasing their knowledge and creativity.

National History Day aims to:

• Inspire students to engage in historical research and develop a deeper understanding of the past.
• Foster critical thinking, research, and presentation skills.
• Encourage students to connect historical events to contemporary issues.
• Promote an appreciation for diverse historical perspectives.

Each year, NHD selects a unique theme to guide student projects. This theme provides a broad framework for exploration, allowing students to choose topics that interest them while aligning with the overarching theme. Past themes have included:

• Breaking Barriers in History
• Conflict and Compromise in History
• Leadership and Legacy in History

This year’s theme is Rights and Responsibilities in History.

Students can present their research in one of five categories, each offering a unique way to convey their findings:

1. Documentary: A ten-minute film that uses primary and secondary sources, interviews, and narration to tell a historical story.
2. Exhibit: A museum-style display that visually represents a topic through images, artifacts, and written content.
3. Paper: A traditional academic research paper that provides an in-depth analysis of a historical topic.
4. Performance: A live dramatization that brings historical events or figures to life through acting, dialogue, and costumes.
5. Website: A digital project that combines multimedia elements to present research and analysis.

The competition progresses through several stages:

1. School Competitions: Students begin by competing at their school level, where the winners can advance to the district competition.
2. District Competition: The District competition brings together students from multiple schools, with top projects moving on to the state level.
3. State Competition: State-level competitions determine which projects will represent their state at the national contest.
4. National Contest: Held annually at the University of Maryland, College Park, the national contest is the culmination of the competition, where students present their projects to judges and compete for scholarships and awards.

NHD's comprehensive approach provides numerous educational benefits:

• Research Skills: Students learn to locate, evaluate, and interpret primary and secondary sources.
• Critical Thinking: Analyzing historical events and their significance fosters deeper understanding and thoughtful reflection.
• Communication Skills: Presenting research in various formats hones written, oral, and visual communication abilities.
• Self-Discipline: Managing long-term projects teaches students time management and organizational skills.
• Collaboration: Group projects promote teamwork and cooperative learning.

NHD offers extensive resources to support students and educators, including:

• Curriculum Materials: Lesson plans, guides, and sample projects to help integrate NHD into classroom instruction.
• Online Research Tools: Access to digital archives, databases, and libraries.
• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities for students to receive guidance from historians and educators.

For Students:

Begin by discussing participation with a history teacher or school advisor, selecting a topic, and starting research early.

For Educators:

Incorporate NHD into your curriculum, support student projects, and attend training sessions.

For Parents and Community Members:

Volunteer to mentor students, judge competitions, or provide resources and support.

"Participating in National History Day has been a transformative experience for our students. They've developed skills that will serve them well beyond their school years." - Educator

"I loved working on my NHD project! It was challenging but so rewarding to see my hard work pay off at the competition." - Student