National History Day

Calling all scholars and educators!

The annual National History Day contest is an opportunity for students in grades 6-12 to explore history and share their skills. Students choose their own topic from history connected to the annual theme and create a presentation to enter the competition. NHD offers a chance for students to engage in the process of research and creating a project to share their work in the form of a paper, performance, documentary, exhibit, or website.

The Hart Cluett Museum supports students and teachers with access to primary sources and research guidance.

Students have the opportunity to win awards and scholarships for their work!


Teachers— we’re here to support you! Contact the museum to schedule a workshop at the museum or in your classroom.

Are you competing? The Hart Cluett Museum’s research library and education team are available to help individuals and classes with their projects! Our research library offers free appointments for students.


Levels of Competition & Important Dates

  • Students first compete in their regional history day.

    Register for the Capitol Region History Day by February 28, 2024. The registration fee is $10 per student. Registration payment and paper, documentary, and website entries are due February 28. 2024.

    Visit the New York State Museum’s website to learn more and register online.

    NYSM Capitol Region National History Day

  • Students awarded first and second place in each category of their regional competition advance to the state contest.

    Contest registration for students advancing after their regional history day contest opens March 18, 2024 and closes March 28, 2024.

    Registration is $30 per student.

    Visit the New York State History Day website to register and learn more.

    NYS History Day

  • Students advancing to the National Contest will open in April 2024 and close May 14, 2024.

    For registration and more information visit the National Contest website.

    NHD National Contest

2024 Contest Theme: Turning Points in History

“To celebrate our 50th anniversary, NHD’s theme will be Turning Points in History. This year’s theme invites you to consider questions of time and place, cause and effect, change over time, and impact and significance. 

A turning point in history is more than just an important event that happened a long time ago. It is more than a new idea or a particular action taken by an individual. A turning point is an idea, event, or action that directly, or sometimes indirectly, causes change.”

Visit nhd.org for more information

 

Are you or your students participating in National History Day? Let us know!

Complete the form below if you have any questions

Capitol Region History Day Competition and Awards Ceremony

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Registration closes February 28, 2024

Learn more

New York State History Day Contest

Sunday, April 14, 2024

Registration closes March 28, 2024

Learn more

National Contest

June 9-13, 2024

Registration closes May 14, 2024

Learn more

 

Learn more about entries and the competition through the links below:

Guidelines

Project Examples

Presentation Categories

Capitol Region History Day FAQs