National History Day announces an exciting and unique summer institute for teachers and students. In June 2012, fifteen student/teacher teams will engage in a rigorous study of D-Day and World War II. Students and teachers will be immersed in lectures presented by leading World War II historians, participate in a scholarly study of the war memorials in the D.C. area and walk in the footsteps of history on the beaches of Normandy. Students will study about and make presentations on various aspects of the Normandy Campaign. The last day in Normandy will be a day of remembrance. The students will lay a wreath at the American Cemetery and present eulogies based on individual pre-institute research of a soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Institute participants will read eight books in the spring in addition to conducting a historical study of a soldier buried at the American Cemetery in Normandy.  Students and teachers should be prepared for at least ten hours of work per week in preparation for the summer institute.