National History Day - Home
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Welcome to National History Day in Wisconsin! Whether you are a student, teacher, parent, or volunteer explore this website and learn more about the program. For more information, contact our office!
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What is National History Day?
National History Day is more than a day; it is a process, a creative outlet, and a confidence-building experience. This is an opportunity to think beyond the textbook in your social studies classroom and develop a memorable project.
Any questions? Please email us! historyday@wisconsinhistory.org
WHAT is NHD?
The program: National History Day is more than just a day; it is an academic enrichment program for 6th-12th graders. Kids all across the country (and world) create NHD projects.
The project: Students can research any type of history and create a project. Encourage them to:
- Choose whatever kind of history they are interested in: sports, war, music, cultural, environmental, political, etc.
- Pick how they want to show their information: exhibit, website, documentary, paper, or performance.
The competition: Competing is optional. If your student decides to compete, there are different levels of competition.
- School level (optional): if your child’s whole grade level or class participates, the teacher may host an afterschool event to pick which projects advance.
- Regional level: Wisconsin hosts regional events based on county. Email us to ask where your student’s regional is located.
- State level: Each regional sends the top 3 entries in each category to compete at the University of Wisconsin—Madison. This contest is always in early to mid April.
- National level: The top winners from every state (and some countries) compete at the University of Maryland campus.
Please Note: Websites, documentaries and paper projects are submitted earlier than other projects because proper judging of these categories requires advanced viewing.
Where are these Contests?
- For detailed information, check out our CONTESTS tab:
- Madison – UW Madison Campus
- Green Bay – UW Green Bay Campus
- Eau Claire – UW Eau Claire Campus
- Mequon- Concordia University Wisconsin Campus
- Stevens Point – UW Stevens Point Campus
- Milwaukee – UW Milwaukee Campus
- Ashland – Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center
- La Crosse – UW La Crosse Campus
- State – UW Madison Campus
- Nationals – University of Maryland
Our Recent News - Keep Up to date
Jan. 2023- Updated Guide to 2023 NHD in WI is available for the 2023 Contest Season!
Oct. 2021- Updated Teacher Materials available. Click here to view!
Oct. 2021- NHD 101: How to Organize Your Project classroom workshops available to be booked. Click here to find out more or email us at historyday@wisconsinhistory.org to book!
Oct. 2021- Teacher Workshop:Primary Sources on Nov. 10. Register here!
Oct. 2020 - Virtual Project Guide Now Available! Click Here to view PDF.
July 2020 - New Rule Book! Click here for updated rules, including:
- Process papers now required for Paper category
- No weapons (real or replica)
- Historical Argument now required in process paper
- and more!