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The College of Letters and Science the Department of History and International Studies are proud sponsors of National History Day® (NHD), a program that engages middle school and high school students in historical research and academic competition. It encourages the study of history in schools in a creative forum. NHD offers five creative categories in each division. In the process, studying the past builds empathy and hones research, writing, and analytical skills.
The NHD 2027 theme is Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change. Watch video below!
Students choose their topic and a category for presenting, including:
- Write a paper
- Create an exhibit
- Develop a performance
- Make a documentary
- Design a website
2027 THEME
Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change
Innovation goes beyond creating new tools or devices to finding new ways of thinking, organizing, and influencing society. To put it simply, innovation, at its core, is about change and the impact of that change.
To fully explore innovation in a historical context, we must look beyond the idea itself and examine its effects. How did people, over time, imagine, develop, and implement new ideas, technologies, or methods? And in what ways did those innovations influence societies?
- Contest Date: March 12, 2027
- Registration Deadline: February 22, 2027
- Project Deadline (Website, paper & documentary): March 1, 2027
- Written Materials Due: March 8, 2027
The National Contest at the University of Maryland is the culmination of the annual competition cycle and a celebration of student scholarship. After spending months on project research and preparation, and successfully competing at local and affiliate contests, student scholars are invited to share their work at the National Competition.