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National History Day (NHD) Contest
Feb 10, 2025

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The National History Day (NHD) Contest, organized by National History Day, Inc., is an annual competition that encourages students to explore historical topics through extensive research and creative presentations. The main objective of the contest is to help students develop essential skills in communication, project management, and historical thinking. Participants begin by creating historical research projects at their respective schools across various educational settings, including public, private, parochial, charter, and homeschool environments. Successful projects can advance through several levels of competition: regional, affiliate (state, territory, or country), and ultimately, the national contest. The top two entries in each category from the affiliate contests are invited to compete at the NHD National Contest held each June at the University of Maryland, College Park. Students present their work in various formats, such as historical papers, exhibits, documentaries, performances, or websites. Judges provide feedback and select projects to advance to higher levels of the competition. The contest is delivered in person, with the national event specifically held at the University of Maryland. Between contest levels, students are encouraged to revise their projects based on judges' feedback to enhance their work. The NHD Contest is inclusive and open to all students and teachers, regardless of race, sex, religion, physical abilities, economic status, or sexual orientation. It is designed to accommodate students with special needs and does not censor contest entries based on content. Through participation, students gain valuable skills and knowledge that prepare them for future academic and professional endeavors.

written by
Rishab Jain