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NATIONAL HISTORY DAY:

TEACHES
79%
of NHD students could digest, analyze, and synthesize information, compared to 61% of their non-NHD peers
PREPARES
85%
of NHD students receive passing or exemplary marks in writing, compared to 62% of their non-NHD peers
INSPIRES
More than five million NHD students have gone on to careers where they are using the skills they learned through NHD.
CHANGE A STUDENT’S LIFE TODAY!
Your tax deductible donation will help support NHD’s mission to provide high-quality educational programs that help students and teachers influence the future through discover of the past.
☰
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  • For Teachers
    • Annual Theme
    • National Contest Info
    • Professional Development
    • Teacher Resources
  • For Students
    • Annual Theme
    • How to
    • Project Categories
    • Project Examples
    • Student Resources
  • Make a Difference
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    • Donate
    • Donor Acknowledgments
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    • Media Resources
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  • #DYK early coffee houses served as spaces to discuss ideas and current events?

TEACHERS: Join us Thursday, June 18 at 12 PM ET for our Teacher Coffee Break, a LIVE virtual chat with the #NHD2020 Virtual PD presenters.

#BYOC
  • All the world’s a stage!

PERFORMANCE STUDENTS: Join @amhistorymuseum experts LIVE on Tues, June 16 at 2pm ET for a performers workshop to hone your craft and get ideas for #NHD2021’s theme, “Communication in History: They Key to Understanding.” #NHD2020
  • 2012: Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History

From @DrCathyGorn:

NHD receives the National Humanities Medal from President @BarackObama in an East Room ceremony at the White House. (Image via @cspan.) NHD receives Gagnon Award for “significant promotion of history education” from the National Council for History Education.

#NHDNatCon40
  • The #NHD2020 Next Generation Angels Awards, made possible by @TheBetterAngelsSociety, recognize excellence in historical filmmaking and are awarded to the top three winners in both the Junior and Senior divisions of the individual documentary category.

WATCH all six #NHD2019 winning documentaries on our website: nhd.org/2019NextGenerationAngels

#MustSeeNHD
  • The United States Marine Corps History Prize, sponsored by the @marinecorpsheritagefdn, is awarded to an outstanding entry in any category in either the Junior or Senior division that demonstrates an appreciation of Marine Corps History.

Learn more: nhd.org/special-prizes

#NHD2020
  • 2011: Debate & Diplomacy in History

From @DrCathyGorn:

First teacher/student summer institute is held—“Normandy: Sacrifice for Freedom;” 15 student/teacher teams attend the program in DC and Normandy, France; first Silent Heroes eulogized

NHD produced teacher sourcebook on the Civil War, sponsored by @HISTORY

NHD releases evaluation report: NHD Works. Read it HERE: nhd.org/nhdworks

#NHDNatCon40
  • The Native American History Prize, sponsored by the @nationalparkservice, is awarded to an outstanding student project in both the Junior and Senior divisions in recognition of demonstrated excellence in the study of Native American history.

Learn more: nhd.org/special-prizes

#NHD2020
  • 2010: Innovation in History

From @DrCathyGorn:

Teacher of the Year Awards sponsored by Patricia Behring

NHD receives appropriation from the U.S. Congress to conduct a major study of NHD’s impact on students

#NHDNatCon40
  • CHECK OUT the #NHD2020 Virtual National Contest Schedule!

Not competing? NOT A PROBLEM.

Student and teacher activities are OPEN TO ALL: ➡️𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 & 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝑪𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒔 ➡️LIVE Workshops & Discussions ➡️ⓋⒾⓇⓉⓊⒶⓁ ⒷⓊⓉⓉⓄⓃ ⓈⒸⒶⓋⒺⓃⒼⒺⓇ ⒽⓊⓃⓉ ➡️Professional Development Opportunities & Resources

SO. MUCH. MORE.

Take a closer look: nhd.org/virtual2020schedule

#MustSeeNHD
  • The Lee Allen History of Baseball Award, sponsored by the Society for American Baseball Research, honors the best entry in any category and in either division relating to baseball which best demonstrates research skills, accuracy, and an appreciation of the national pastime. The prize is named in honor of Lee Allen, the historian at the @baseballhall from 1950-1969.

MORE: nhd.org/special-prizes

#NHD2020
  • 2009: The Individual in History

From @DrCathyGorn:

Summer teacher institute, “Philadelphia: Birthplace of Democracy”

Kim Fortney joins NHD as Deputy Director

Kenneth E. Behring becomes NHD’s major donor

#NHDNatCon40
  • The Latino American History Prize, sponsored by the @nationalparkservice, is awarded to an outstanding student project in both the Junior and Senior divisions in recognition of demonstrated excellence in the study of Latino American history.

MORE: nhd.org/special-prizes

#NHD2020
  • 2008: Conflict & Compromise in History

From @DrCathyGorn:

NHD produces a teacher sourcebook on Abraham Lincoln’s Legacy, sponsored by @HISTORY

#NHDNatCon40
  • The Irish or Irish American History Prize, sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH), is awarded to two projects in either the Junior or Senior divisions, in any category. Entries must demonstrate excellence in the study or presentation of Irish/Irish American history.

Learn more: nhd.org/special-prizes

#NHD2020
  • 2007: Triumph & Tragedy in History

From @DrCathyGorn:

Welcome Ceremony speaker is Ken Burns, his first time as welcome speaker

American and German teachers took part in a summer institute,
  • EDUCATORS—It's not too late to sign up for this summer's NHD 101!! Register by this Wednesday (6/10) to learn key elements of project-based learning and the National History Day process.

Earn 90 professional development hours OR 3 graduate extension credits!

Learn more and register: nhd.org/onlineeducation
  • 2006: Taking a Stand in History

From @DrCathyGorn:

Summer teacher institute:
  • 2005: Communication in History

From @DrCathyGorn:

Most popular topic: Navaho Code Talkers

NHD publishes its
  • The Immigration History Award, sponsored by the Lombardo Family, is given in recognition of demonstrated excellence in the study of immigration history. The prize is awarded to an outstanding student project in either division that documents and analyzes immigration to the United States. The subject(s) can be an individual, group(s), a right, challenge(s), triumph(s), or any topic that has historical significance, influence or impact.

Learn more: nhd.org/special-prizes

#NHD2020
  • 2004: Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History

From @DrCathyGorn:

Cultural exchange: NHD hosts the German/American Student Academy, a two-week program (first week during National Contest) focused on immigration history. American and German students participated, and those from Germany were winners of the History Competition of the Federal President.

NHD students’ research makes history: 3 students from Chicago researched the 1964 FBI case known as “Mississippi Burning”; they reviewed thousands of court transcripts, spoke with victims’ families and government officials, and secured an interview with reputed KKK member Edgar Ray Killen. Believing the evidence existed for justice to be served, the students brought their research to the attention of the FBI, Governor of Mississippi, and members of Congress which helped re-open the case and lead to the arrest of Killen.

Lorena Torres joins NHD as Finance Director.

#NHDNatCon40
  • The History of the Physical Sciences & Technology Prize, sponsored by the American Institute of Physics Niels Bohr Library & Archives, is awarded to an outstanding entry in any category, in both the Junior and Senior divisions, which explores a person or event important to the history of science and technology. The project should explain why the subject(s) is/are important and place it/them in historical context. (Note: projects related to the biological or psychological sciences are not considered for this award.) Learn more: nhd.org/special-prizes

#NHD2020
  • 2003: Rights & Responsibilities in History

From @drcathygorn:

@JostensInc receives NHD Corporate Leadership Award

Summer teacher institute on the history of the American West held in Portland, OR

#NHDNatCon40
  • Executive Director @DrCathyGorn shares a message for NHD students. View her full remarks on NHD’s Twitter profile and Facebook page.
  • From @drcathygorn:
  • The History of Agriculture & Rural Life Prize, sponsored by the Agricultural History Society, is awarded to the best project in either division, in any category, focused on the history of agriculture and/or rural life in any country or time period.

Learn more: nhd.org/special-prizes

#NHD2020
  • 2002: Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History

From @DrCathyGorn:

Summer teacher institute in Atlanta: “‘We Shall Overcome’: 100 Years of the Civil Rights Movement”. A study of students who participated in NHD found that the number of students who could correctly explain a thesis statement increased from 2% to 45%. Montana is back!

Awards ceremony speaker: Department of Education Secretary Rod Paige

#NHDNatCon40
  • The History in the Federal Government Prize, sponsored by the Society for History in the Federal Government, is awarded to the best entry in any category, in either division, which illuminates the history of the American federal government.

Learn more: nhd.org/special-prizes

#NHD2020
  • 2001: Frontiers in History

From @drcathygorn:

Students studied frontiers both new and old: from covered wagons and first flights to constitutional liberties and frontiers for human dignity

National Contest awards ceremony is webcast live by The @History Channel

Summer teacher institute: New Directions in Cold War History

Media coverage hits a new high with 80 million impressions from local and national newspapers, radio, and television coverage, including @nytimes, @CNN, and @NPR

#NHDNatCon40
  • 2000: Turning Points in History

From @drcathygorn:

David Van Tassel, NHD founder, passed away unexpectedly one week before the National Contest, but his legacy lives on.

NHD’s website receives the following awards:

Web Site Excellence Award by
  • NEW Ts available in the NHD Shop!

Check out these and more: nhd.org/shop

#NHD2020
  • 1999: Science & Technology in History

From @drcathygorn:

47 states and DC: WV out

The 1999 theme logo was my favorite, designed by my mother, Zdenka Gorn.

Summer teacher institute on the Civil War marked the beginning of our ongoing partnership with @WhiteHouseHistory, who served as one of the sponsors.

#NHDNatCon40
  • The Global Peace Prize, sponsored by the @usipeace, is awarded in both the Junior and Senior Divisions to an outstanding entry that demonstrates America’s commitment to building peace around the world by highlighting the work of individual citizens, organizations and/or the U.S. government.

Learn more: nhd.org/special-prizes

#NHD2020
  • In 1998, @DrCathyGorn made her @cspan debut and appeared on @cspanwj with @NHD_CA student Sean Stamm to talk about NHD and take questions from callers.

#NHDNatCon40
  • 1998: Migration in History

From @DrCathyGorn:

NHD interns are Monica Thomas and Amma Ghartey-Tagoe. Asked to describe their experience as participants and interns, AmMonicA responded, “History Day Rocks!” 2,000 students participate from 48 states + DC, leaving MT and NH as the odd states out.

Most popular topic: Irish Potato Famine

#NHDNatCon40
  • The George Washington Leadership in History Prize, presented by @GWBooks at George Washington’s @Mount_Vernon, will be awarded to outstanding projects in both the Junior and Senior divisions that demonstrate a clear understanding of the ideas and events defined by Washington’s life, leadership, and legacy.

Learn more: nhd.org/special-prizes

#NHD2020
  • 1997: Triumph & Tragedy in History

From @drcathygorn:

Kirsen Rostad is the first National History Day Summer Intern.

The @HISTORY Channel Outstanding Educator Award goes to Barbara Allen, teacher at Horace Mann Middle School in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Popular topics: Atomic Bomb, Richard Nixon, Berlin Wall, Anwar Sadat, and the Mothers of the Plaza del Mayo, as well as many state and local topics

#NHDNatCon40
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  • For Teachers
    • Annual Theme
    • National Contest Info
    • Professional Development
    • Teacher Resources
  • For Students
    • Annual Theme
    • How to
    • Project Categories
    • Project Examples
    • Student Resources
  • Make a Difference
    • Alumni
    • Donate
    • Donor Acknowledgments
    • National Contest Judges’ Information
  • News/Media
    • Media Resources
    • NHD in the News
    • Newsletter
    • NHD on Social Media
  • About
    • Affiliates
    • Job Openings
    • NHD Origins
    • Who We Are
    • Why NHD Works