Where else could 31,000 students have so much fun, they forget how much they’re learning?
For middle and high school students who participate, Maryland History Day sparks critical thinking, and helps develop skills in research and analysis, writing, and public speaking.
Working solo or in small groups, students create original documentaries, exhibits, performances, research papers or websites exploring a breadth of historical topics within an annual theme. Students progress through competitions at the school, district, state, and national levels.
Students from public, private, parochial, home, and cyber schools are welcome to participate. District contests are held throughout Maryland every February and March.
Next Event
2026 Maryland History Day
Theme: Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History
Important Dates:
May 2, 2026: Maryland History Day Contest, UMBC
June 14-18, 2026: National History Day
Get Involved with History Day
Looking for your local contest?
Students must compete in the district contest in which their school is located. Find the date, location, and contact person for Maryland History Day in your county.
Interested in becoming a judge?
Are you interested in judging or volunteering for Maryland History Day? Our student competitors rely on volunteers like you to evaluate their work.
Receive a class visit or professional development
Maryland History Day outreach staff members will be happy to work with your students to go over research, the project process, and other History Day Topics. Our two outreach staff can also schedule professional development sessions for teachers.
Get a head start on primary sources
If you’re choosing a topic in American History, American Government, or World History, check out our themed History Inquiry Kits. These kits allow students to select a topic and evaluate primary sources from the Library of Congress. Covering history and social studies themes in early cultures to the modern-day role of the United States, these tools are great starting points for Maryland History Day project investigation.
Stay Informed: follow Maryland History Day on Facebook to stay up to date on contest info, winners, resources, and more.
By the Numbers
Maryland History Day invites Maryland middle and high school students to participate in this history project every year. Students in classrooms throughout Maryland immerse themselves in in-depth research and create original documentaries, exhibits, performances, research papers, or websites exploring a breadth of historical topics within an annual theme. Here’s our impact across the state:
523
Participating Educators
National History Day is designed to revolutionize the teaching and learning of history.
22
Districts
Students compete in the district where there school is located.
200
Participating Schools
Students from public, private, parochial, home, and cyber schools are welcome to participate.
25,404
Participating Students
History Day allows students to do the job of a historical detective.
Maryland History Day Sponsors
Maryland Humanities would like to thank the following sponsors for helping us make Maryland History Day possible:
