Competition Overview
National History Day (NHD)
National History Day (NHD) is an annual academic competition for students in grades 6-12 that encourages historical research, critical analysis, and creative presentation. Founded in 1974, the competition seeks to promote a deeper understanding of history and to inspire students to think critically about the past and its impact on the present. The program culminates in a national contest held each June at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Eligibility
-
Open to students in grades 6-12 from the United States, U.S. territories, and international schools with NHD affiliation
-
Students compete in two divisions:
-
Junior Division: Grades 6-8
-
Senior Division: Grades 9-12
-
Subject Categories
Students may submit projects in the following categories:
Paper
Exhibit
Performace
Documentary
Website
These categories allow for a range of creative expressions, from traditional written research to multimedia and interactive presentations.
*Paper: Individual only
Competition Topic Example
2025
Each category offers a set of questions each year.
Each year, NHD announces a new theme that students must base their projects on.
2025 Theme：Rights & Responsibilities in History
Requirements
Research & Sources
-
Students must conduct in-depth historical research
-
Use both primary and secondary sources
Annotated Bibliography
-
Required for all categories
-
Include detailed notes for each source used
Submission Formats
-
Paper: 1,500–2,500 words, PDF only
-
Exhibit: Physical/digital, with caption word limit
-
Performance: Live or recorded, ≤10 minutes
-
Documentary: Video, ≤10 minutes
-
Website: Built on NHDWebCentral™, ≤1,200 words, media under 3 minutes
General Requirements
-
Follow word/time limits strictly
-
Ensure all entries reflect original research and clear citations
Prizes
National Awards
First Prize
in each category at the national contest.
Second Prize
in each category at the national contest.
Third Prize
in each category at the national contest.
Special Award
in each category at the national contest.
Scholarships
-
Top entries are eligible for scholarships from various partner institutions.