The National History Day program provides teachers with an innovative teaching tool that instills important skills in a fun and engaging format.
History Day requires students to do the job of a historical detective. Participants must delve into primary sources, develop original historical conclusions, and present their work in a creative form. In short, National History Day is designed to revolutionize the teaching and learning of history. It also aligns with Common Core Standards.
The Impact of History Day
History Day is not a contest, it’s a year-long learning experience that helps students discover skills of research, time management, group collaboration, historical analysis, and many other skills. National History Day published a report that details some findings on areas where students improve through participation in a History Day project.
Teacher FAQs
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to see the answers to teacher questions such as “Is there a sample timeline?” “How do I use this in a virtual setting?” and more.
Popular Documents
Thesis Development Worksheet | Download Worksheet | Google Drive |
Topic Selection – “Narrow It Down” | Download Worksheet | Google Drive |
Exhibit Creation | Download Exhibit Map | Google Drive |
Video Resources
- Teacher Workshops
Our workshops will follow you along in the History Day process and create a space for discussion among new and seasoned teachers. We aim for 45 minutes and you are welcome to drop in at any time. Use the links in the schedule below to register for upcoming workshops.
Date Topic Wednesday, January 20 at 4pm Preparing for School-Level Showcases Wednesday, February 17 at 4pm Coaching Students to Use Feedback Wednesday, March 17 at 4pm Preparing Students for the State Contest Wednesday, April 14 at 4pm Reflections on the Past Year In our November meeting, we started with announcements and updates, then shared resources to help your students outline their project, and shared tips about writing the text of the project.
- Teacher Webinars
Maryland History Day outreach staff produce pre-recorded webinars on our YouTube channel. See below for a link to the Maryland History Day playlist!