National History Day: A Complete Guide

Are you curious about how you can bring history to life? National History Day in the United States is an educational experience that inspires young historians to explore the past, conduct in-depth research, and present their findings in creative and engaging ways.

From documentaries and performances to papers and exhibits, National History Day provides a platform for students to showcase their knowledge, develop critical skills, and connect with a community passionate about history. In this complete guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about National History Day, including how it works, project ideas, and tips for success.

• What Is National History Day?
• National History Day Awards and Prizes
• How to Qualify for National History Day
• How to Get into National History Day
• How to Win National History Day
• National History Day Previous Winners
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Is National History Day?

National History Day (NHD) is a U.S.‑based, non‑profit educational program and contest designed to improve the teaching and learning of history. The organization is regarded as a world leader in history and civics education.

NHD operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and reaches more than half a million students and tens of thousands of teachers each year. It does this through its student history contest and through a wide range of teacher professional‑development programs and curriculum tools.

The program began in 1974 when Dr. David Van Tassel, a professor at Case Western Reserve University, founded a local history contest in Cleveland to encourage students to analyze historical events and draw conclusions about their impact on human society.

The contest quickly grew; in 1980, nineteen states participated in the first National Contest. Today, National History Day is recognized for its influence on history education and has been honored with the National Humanities Medal, presented to Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn by President Barack Obama.

National History Day 2026 theme

Each year, NHD selects a contest theme to help students focus their research. The theme encourages students to ask significant questions and to explore topics from various aspects of local, regional, national and world history.

The 2026 contest theme is “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History,” commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Depending on their topic, students can emphasize one or more of these concepts (namely revolution, reaction, or reform).

National History Day Awards and Prizes

National History Day recognizes outstanding student projects at its National Contest through various awards and prizes, celebrating excellence in historical research and presentation.

Contest category awards

The top three entries in each of the five contest categories—documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, and website—receive awards. These awards are presented during the National Contest that will be held at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Special prizes

In addition to category awards, NHD offers numerous special prizes sponsored by various organizations. These prizes recognize exceptional projects that explore specific areas of history. Examples include:

• African American History Prize. Sponsored by the National Park Service, awarded for excellence in the study of African American history.
• Asian American History Prize. Also sponsored by the National Park Service, recognizing outstanding projects on Asian American history.
• Women’s History Prize. Sponsored by the National Women’s History Museum, awarded to projects focusing on women’s history.

These special prizes are awarded to students across all categories and divisions.

Teacher of the Year award

NHD honors exceptional educators with the Teacher of the Year Award in both Junior and Senior Divisions. The 2025 winners were:

• Junior Division. Robert DeCerbo from Palmetto Academy, South Carolina.
• Senior Division. Michael Biondo from Maine South High School, Illinois.

Each winner receives a $10,000 cash prize, with all nominees receiving $500.

Outstanding affiliate awards

Two entries from each NHD affiliate (one in the Junior Division and one in the Senior Division) have the opportunity to receive Outstanding Affiliate Awards. These awards recognize the best entries from each affiliate.

Scholarships and cash prizes

At the National Contest, over 100 students receive cash prizes ranging from $250 to $1,000 for superior work. Additionally, $150,000 in scholarships is awarded to students.

How to Qualify for National History Day

To qualify for National History Day, students must participate in a multi-level contest structure, beginning at the local level and potentially advancing to regional, affiliate, and national contests. But first, here’s what you need to know to qualify:

Eligibility

Here are the eligibility requirements if you want to join NHD:

• Student grades and divisions. NHD is open to middle‑ and high‑school students (generally grades 6‑12) from public, private, parochial, charter and home schools. Students compete in either the Junior Division (grades 6‑8) or the Senior Division (grades 9‑12). Some affiliates allow fourth‑ and fifth‑grade students to participate in a separate division.
• Project categories and team sizes. Students may enter only one project per year. Projects can be created individually or by groups of two to five students, depending on the category. The paper category is always an individual project, while exhibits, documentaries, performances, and websites may be individual or group entries. Once a group enters a contest, members cannot be added or replaced, although members may drop and the remaining students can continue as a group.
• Non‑discrimination. NHD programs are open to all students and teachers regardless of race, religion, physical abilities, economic status, gender or sexual orientation. NHD staff and coordinators also strive to accommodate students with disabilities.

Required documents

To be judged at any level of the NHD contest, each project must include specific written materials. These must follow the formatting guidelines in the NHD Contest Rule Book:

• Title page. The title page contains only the project title, student name(s), contest division and category, and word counts. It is not counted in the project’s word total.
• Process paper. Every entry (including papers) must include a process paper of no more than 500 words explaining how the topic was chosen, how research was conducted, how the project was created, the student’s historical argument and the topic’s significance. The process paper is separate from the main project and is not included in the word limit.
• Annotated bibliography. The bibliography lists all sources used in the project, separated into primary and secondary sources and formatted consistently in either Chicago or MLA style. Each citation must include a brief annotation describing how the source was used. The bibliography does not count toward the word limit.
• Project materials. Depending on the category, students must submit the completed project (paper, website URL, exhibit or performance script, or documentary file) along with the required documents. Students must consult their affiliate contest instructions to determine how and when to upload or present materials, since submission procedures vary.

Contest fees

Contest fees are set by each affiliate and by the national office. They may change from year to year and students are responsible for meeting payment deadlines. Examples include:

• Local and affiliate contests. Registration fees vary by state or regional program. Many affiliates charge about US $10–$20 per student to enter the regional or state contest (examples: Peru District competition charges $10 per student with a January 31 deadline; Oregon and Indiana competitions charge around $10–$15). These fees are collected online through each affiliate’s registration system and must be paid (or waived) before registration is considered complete.
• National contest fees. Students who qualify for the national contest must pay a separate registration fee to the NHD national office. All students in a group entry must register and pay the fee for the project to be evaluated. Some affiliates or sponsors offer scholarships or fee waivers for students with financial need. Since fees can change each year, students should check the current national contest registration instructions when they receive their national qualification notice.

Registration deadline

NHD registration deadlines differ by contest level and year. Students must monitor deadlines announced by their affiliate coordinator:

• Local and affiliate deadlines. Each regional or affiliate contest sets its own registration period. For example, a district contest in Nebraska opened teacher registration on January 1, 2025, opened student registration on January 12, 2025, and had an entry deadline of January 31, 2025. Other affiliates have similar January or February deadlines for contests held in March or April.
• National contest deadlines. Students who qualify at the affiliate level must register for the national contest by the deadline set by the NHD national office. Check the current year’s National Contest registration instructions for exact dates, as deadlines typically fall in mid‑May for a contest held in mid‑June. Late registrations are not accepted, and fees are non‑refundable.

How to Get into National History Day

To participate in National History Day, students must follow a structured process that begins at the local level and can culminate in the National Contest. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Begin at the school level.

First, you’ll develop a historical research project based on the annual theme. Projects can be created individually or in groups. There are five categories to choose from: Documentary, Exhibit, Paper, Performance, and Website.

But before starting your project, download and read the NHD Contest Rule Book. It provides guidelines on project creation, evaluation criteria, and other important information.

Then, participate in the school contest, where you’ll present at your school’s NHD contest. Top entries may advance to regional or affiliate contests.

Step 2: Advance through regional and affiliate contests.

To begin the qualification process, locate your local affiliate and contest details by visiting the Find Your Local Contest page. This page provides contact information for affiliate coordinators and contest dates.

However, in some areas, students must first compete in regional contests, which are typically organized by geographical regions within the affiliate. Top entries from regional contests advance to affiliate contests.

Step 3: Participate in the National Contest.

The top two entries in each category and division at affiliate contests are invited to compete at the National Contest, where about 3,000 students from all U.S. states and several international schools gather. All members of a group entry must register for the national contest even if only some students travel to the event.

The contest includes preliminary and final rounds, a Parade of Affiliates, and awards ceremonies. Students also have opportunities to visit historical sites in Washington, D.C.

How to Win National History Day

Winning National History Day requires a combination of thorough research, clear presentation, and adherence to contest guidelines. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you excel:

1. Understand the judging criteria.

NHD projects are evaluated based on two main criteria:

• Historical quality (80%). This assesses the depth of your research, the accuracy of your historical analysis, and how well your project relates to the annual theme.
• Clarity of presentation (20%). This evaluates how effectively your project communicates your argument—including organization, creativity, and adherence to category-specific guidelines.

For detailed evaluation forms and category-specific criteria, refer to the NHD Contest Rules.

2. Work on a compelling topic.

Ensure your topic directly relates to the annual NHD theme. On top of that, select a topic that has a clear impact on history and offers opportunities for in-depth research. Opt for a unique angle or lesser-known aspect to stand out among other entries as well.

Utilize original materials such as letters, photographs, and official documents to support your argument. You should also incorporate scholarly analyses and interpretations to provide context and depth. Regardless of your topic, try to include multiple viewpoints to present a balanced and comprehensive narrative.

Seek input from teachers, mentors, or peers to identify areas for improvement. Make necessary adjustments to enhance clarity, accuracy, and presentation and ensure all components of your project are complete and polished before submission.

3. Develop a strong historical argument.

Craft a concise statement that encapsulates your argument and its significance. Before starting on the project itself, create an outline to organize your project to guide the audience through your argument systematically. Support your thesis with well-researched facts and interpretations.

4. Present your project effectively.

Follow the specific rules for your chosen category (e.g., exhibit, documentary, paper, performance, website). Present information in a clear, logical, and accessible manner. A big part of this is ensuring your project is visually engaging since it helps improve your audience’s understanding of your argument.

Practice responses by anticipating questions judges might ask and preparing thoughtful answers. Be ready to discuss your research process, the significance of your topic, and how it relates to the theme. Also, practice presenting yourself confidently and handling questions with poise.

5. Follow contest rules.

It should go without saying that following the contest rules is a big step towards having a chance to win. After all, not adhering to all NHD rules and guidelines can result in disqualification.

Ensure your project is original and not previously submitted in other competitions. Include all required materials, such as process papers and annotated bibliographies.

National History Day Previous Winners

Here are highlights from the 2025 National History Day National Contest winners, showcasing the exceptional student projects that have excelled in the competition.

Here are the group category winners:

Meanwhile, these are the winners for individual categories:

2025 Teacher of the Year Award winners

National History Day also recognizes outstanding educators who have significantly contributed to the program:

• Junior division. Robert DeCerbo, Palmetto Academy of Learning and Success, Myrtle Beach, SC
• Senior Division. Michael Biondo, Maine South High School, Park Ridge, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the National History Day?

National History Day (NHD) is a U.S.-based educational program and competition that encourages students to explore historical topics through research, analysis, and creative presentation. Students can present their work in one of five categories: Documentary, Exhibit, Paper, Performance, or Website. Each year, NHD sets a theme, and students’ projects must connect to it.

2. Who is eligible to join NHD?

NHD is open to students from grades 6 through 12 in the United States and internationally. Both individuals and groups can participate, and projects are divided into Junior Division (grades 6 to 8) and Senior Division (grades 9 to 12). There is no restriction based on school type—public, private, or homeschool students can all participate.

3. How do I join National History Day?

To join National History Day (NHD), start by creating a project based on the annual theme and submitting it to your school-level contest. Top projects from the school contest advance to regional or affiliate contests, and the best entries from those competitions qualify for the National Contest, held at the University of Maryland, College Park.

4. What are the benefits of joining NHD?

National History Day (NHD) helps students build research, writing, and presentation skills while deepening their understanding of history. Participants can earn awards, scholarships, and recognition, connect with peers and mentors, and teachers gain valuable resources and professional development opportunities.

5. Is National History Day worth it?

Yes. National History Day is highly worthwhile for students passionate about history, research, and creative expression. Aside from enhancing academic skills, NHD also provides real-world experience in project-based learning, boosts college applications, and offers national recognition and awards.

Students gain confidence presenting their research and have the chance to meet and learn from other young historians from across the country.

Takeaways

• Participating in National History Day is a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of history, develop critical research skills, and engage creatively with meaningful topics.
• Whether you’re producing a documentary, designing an exhibit, writing a paper, or crafting a performance or website, National History Day allows you to explore historical events while building analytical, presentation, and leadership skills that will serve you well in college and beyond.
• Through our tailored consulting program, we provide expert guidance to help you highlight your National History Day achievements and other standout experiences, ensuring your projects and awards make a lasting impression on admissions officers.