Contest Rules
Be sure to use the current edition of the NHD Rule Book.
**UPDATE for Utah History Day Youth Division - Bibliography does NOT need annotations. Bibliographies must have correctly formatted entries and sources divided by Primary and Secondary classification.
National History Day
Every year National History Day® frames students’ research within a historical theme. The theme is chosen for the broad application to world, national, or state history and its relevance to ancient history or to the more recent past. This year’s theme is Debate and Diplomacy: Successes, Failures, Consequences. The intentional selection of the theme for NHD is to provide an opportunity for students to push past the antiquated view of history as mere facts and dates and drill down into historical content to develop perspective and understanding.
To enter the National History Day Contest start by reading the Creating a Project page and contacting your State/Affiliate Coordinator to inquire about entering at the local or school level of your contest. The top two entries in each category at the Affiliate Contest level will be invited to the National Contest. The National Contest will be held June 12-16 at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Utah History Day
Utah History Day is Utah’s official National History Day affiliate. Formerly called Utah History Fair, this program has operated continuously in Utah since 1980. Last year, more than 5,000 Utah students in 4th through 12th grade participated in History Day, learning how to conduct real historical research and then create a final project that showcases their work. Students present their projects in a series of contests beginning at the school or district level and advancing through regional and state competitions. Utah’s top entries qualify to compete at the National History Day competition in Washington, D.C., each June.
Washington County History Day
This contest is an opportunity for Washington County students, Grades 4-12, to reach beyond their "regular" learning and connect with the past.
Why do kids love History Day? Here’s what some of them have to say:
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This experience truly changed my life.
My favorite aspect of the competition is the freedom that is provided to the students. There are so many categories and endless possibilities for topics. Any student can create a project that utilizes their skills and interests them. Each NHD project requires students to use analysis and do in-depth investigations of their topic. This year, we were able to contact many great people such as civil rights leader, Dolores Huerta, Professor Danielle Olden, Jesus Gamboa and Ben Maddock. All of these people taught me new things that I have carried with me ever since.
– Nicholas Cockrell, Hillcrest High School, Midvale
Dear All Undecided,
National History Day is a wonderful program…. You’ll be learning many valuable skills that will supercharge your researching skills for all sorts of challenges (for instance, for school or for work). More importantly, the National History Day competition allows you to not only delve into a comprehensive review of a historical event—it makes you take a stance. So get out there. Find a historical event that you’re passionate about, and go at it. I promise you that the time you invest will be well worth it. Good luck to all!
– Harry Han, Hillcrest High School, Midvale
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Contest Day Information
Location: Coral Cliffs Professional Learning Center (attached to Coral Cliffs Elementary) MAP
Competition Schedule
8:30 - 9:00 Registration and Exhibit Set up
9:00 - 9:45 Exhibit Hall open for Public Viewing
10:00 - 12:00 Judging - all rounds
12:30 - 1:30 Exhibits should be picked up and taken
Awards Ceremony - Monday evening - Virtual
State Delegation Meeting - To Be Announced
* This schedule is subject to change.
First Round Information
All entries will be judged during the first round of competition, which runs from 10:00 -12:00. Students should be at their judging location at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled time. All students are interviewed by the judges during the first round.
Final Round Information
There are no interviews in the final round.
Exhibit, documentary, paper, and website students do NOT attend the final round.
Finalists in the Exhibit, Paper, and Website categories are not posted. Results are announced for all categories at the Awards Ceremony.
Lunch
Lunch is not provided for contestants. There are restaurants and stores nearby. Or you are welcome to bring a lunch and eat in the gym/waiting area (food/drinks are not allowed in classrooms).
Must You Stay at the Contest All Day?
No.
Group Documentary
Group Documentary is for entries that were created by teams of 2-5 people.
Group Exhibit
Group Exhibit is for entries that were created by teams of 2-5 people.
Group Performance
Group Performance is for entries that were created by teams of 2-5 people.
Group Website
Group Website is for entries that were created by teams of 2-5 people.
Individual Documentary
Individual documentary is for projects created by one person.
Individual Exhibit
Individual exhibit is for projects created by one person.
Individual Performance
Individual Performance is for projects created by one person.
Individual Website
Individual Website is for projects created by one person.
Paper
Historical paper is for projects created by one person.
NHD Judging Criteria
Historical Quality: 60%
- Historical Accuracy
- Historical Context
- Shows Analysis & Interpretation
- Uses available primary sources
- Wide Research
- Balanced Research
Relation to Theme: 20%
- Clearly relates topic to theme
- Demonsrates significance of topic in history and draws conclusions
Clarity of Presentation: 20%
- Project and written materials are original, clear, appropriate, organized, and articulate
- Project is organized; visual impact is appropriate to topic