National History Day (NHD) is a great program to help students practice research and critical thinking skills, elements important to their future in the workplace and school.

NHD is actually a year-long educational program proven to increase test scores and thinking skills for the thousands of middle and high school students from across the United States who participate. Each year students chose topics related to a theme.  The theme for National History Day 2019 is Triumph & Tragedy in History . Click here for topics related to this for which HSP has wonderful sources and here for how NHD aligns with Pennsylvania Core Standards.

After researching their chosen topic, participants, individually or in a group, gain first-hand experience producing a documentary, exhibit, essay, performance, or website to submit in a local contest. The winners move on to a state competition. Those winners move on to the national competition in Washington.

Learn more about National History Day from these pages:

And visit HSP's pages NHD for Students and NHD for Teachers.

The Historical Society of Pennsylvania supports National History Day through research assistance in the classroom and after-school, teacher professional development, and travel grants to help winners attend competitions.