COLLEGE PARK, MD – June 10, 2026 – National History Day® (NHD) is proud to announce a slate of student showcases at cultural institutions in Washington, D.C., during its 2026 National Contest. 195 students and 109 student historical research projects–from papers and documentaries to performances and tabletop exhibits, and now websites–will be displayed at three Smithsonian museums – the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, along with the National Archives Foundation and the White House Historical Association on Wednesday, June 17, All research projects reflect this year’s National History Day contest theme, Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.
85 students from 46 NHD affiliates will present their exhibits for public display at the National Museum of American History on June 17 and will remain on display throughout opening hours. Also at the National Museum of American History, 31 students from 10 NHD affiliates will present their historical performances in a performance showcase from 1 to 5 p.m. The performances will take place in the Hall of Music for public attendance.
In addition to exhibits and performances on display at the American History Museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture will present 22 student documentaries in the Oprah Winfrey Theater from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. National History Day National Contest entries from 19 affiliates will be represented at this showcase.
At the National Museum of the American Indian, the “In Language There Is Life: I ka ‘ōlelo nō ke ola” Showcase will feature five students from Hawai‘i who completed National History Day projects in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) and qualified at the Hawaiʻi affiliate contest. Their projects highlight perspectives and understanding vital to their culture and support larger community efforts that give life to Indigenous languages. The projects will be on display at the National Museum of the American Indian on Wednesday, June 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., and at the Stamp Student Union at the University of Maryland, College Park, on Monday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
A new addition to this year’s showcases, the National Archives Foundation will present student websites featuring primary sources from National Archives catalogs. On June 17, 19 students from 10 affiliates will have the opportunity to tour exhibits at the National Archives Museum and meet with museum curators.
Finally, 14 students covering topics related to the history of the White House or the presidency have been selected to participate in a paper showcase hosted by the White House Historical Association (WHHA). These students are invited to attend a writing workshop at The People’s House: A White House Experience on June 17.
“We are thrilled to continue partnering with the Smithsonian Institution, the White House Historical Association, and now the National Archives, to showcase the outstanding work of NHD students and foster the next generation of historians and leaders,” said National History Day Executive Director Cathy Gorn. “The opportunity for students to present their year-long research efforts to the public and learn from professionals at cultural institutions not only provides a unique educational experience, but also an unforgettable one for students traveling across the world to attend.”
Congratulations to the students selected for the 2026 National History Day showcases:
Exhibit Showcase – National Museum of American History
Yeonwoo S., Alabama
Emma E. and Julia S., Alaska
Kalei S., American Samoa
Alice B., Arizona
Harmony G. and Olivia K., Arkansas
Ethan L., Chelsea G., and Joselyn L., California
Skye B. and Rylie L., Colorado
Mya S., Connecticut
Skylar B. and Tanvi P. S., Delaware
Kailey A., Florida
Jack P., Georgia
Kara J., Guam
Daphne F., Idaho
Isabella H. and Kate T., Indiana
Sebin K. and Jenna L., NHD International
Abigail N. and Adrienne S., Iowa
Anik P. and John G., Kansas
Zara S., Kentucky
Hyeon Seo C., NHD Korea
Erick F., Kaylei S., and Chasity S., Louisiana
Amelia K., Maine
Alexander D. and James W., Maryland
Gaadha A., Maya G., Madeline H., Regina M., and Avery N., Massachusetts
Charlotte M., Michigan
Marley H., Charlotte R., Lily S., and Dessa S., Minnesota
Maggie B., Mississippi
Stella T., Missouri
James K., Montana
Maylee J., Nevada
Mia H., New Hampshire
Naivedya G., New Jersey
Alexiea A., Joseph O., Brailey T., Hannah Y., New Mexico
Tony-JunLin P., New York
Tynae E., Treleia H., Victorica R., North Carolina
Isla M., Jenna K., Amelia S., North Dakota
Lucas C., Sophie H., Zhiying Y., Ohio
Halle H., Kaia M., Oklahoma
Marjorie Y., Pennsylvania
Sophia M., Charvi P., Maggie V., Tennessee
Abel C., Matthew R., and Giuliana W., Texas
Genesis G. and Kaliya H., Utah
Ezra B. and Avery K., Vermont
Sydney L., Washington
Meredith K. and Anika P., Washington, D.C.
Paige G., Lily K., and Ava V., Wisconsin
Emily M., Wyoming
Performance Showcase – National Museum of American History
Lucas P., William S., and Keylee W., Arkansas
Evonne F., Evangeline L., and Alice W., California
Piper A., Olivia M., Karrie R., and Ethan S., California
Abigail G., Christiza L., and A’Charee S., Connecticut
Éabha K., Kansas
Bella A., Charlee W., and Hadley W., Kansas
Camryn C. S., Michigan
Billy E. and K’lell S., Montana
Thomas J., Montana
Isaac A., Abigail D., Hannah L., Colin P., and Camila S., New Jersey
Jasmine M., New Jersey
Hope B., North Carolina
Reagan D., Zoey M., and Joash Gadiel S. C., Oregon
Documentary Showcase – National Museum of African American History and Culture
Cassie W., Alabama
Thanvi V. and Dorothy Z., Arizona
Nicholas S., California
Riva L., Colorado
Noah B., Connecticut
Kayla O. and Andrew W., Delaware
Ari H., Georgia
McLuhan C., Maryland
Leonie B. and Eve S., Maryland
Min J., Michigan
Natalie B. and Ada G., New Hampshire
Sarah A., Ailani K., Bilal S., and Felicity T., New Jersey
Samarth B., Ren D., and Roy W., New York
Josiah H., Oklahoma
Madelyn Y., Pennsylvania
Yvette A., Abigail A., and Kayla M., Tennessee
Rameen A., Tennessee
Emery H., Sarah J., and Mya K., Texas
McKenna B., Isabelle H., Swikriti L., Brynlee N., and Emry O., Texas
Georgiana C. and Maren T., Utah
Sydney H. and Adalyn S., Virginia
Bolanile A. and Liam C., Washington, D.C.
“In Language There Is Life: I ka ‘ōlelo nō ke ola” Showcase – National Museum of the American Indian
Pūnua G., Hawai’i
Mana I., Hawai’i
Ulua’e K., Hawai’i
Aaliyah E. B., Hawai’i
Kaʻie M., Hawai’i
Website Showcase – National Archives Foundation
Ariel L., California
Jaevier P., Iowa
Cameron K., Shivank D., and Sumedh K., New Jersey
Abhinav T., Rishi P., and Saharsha K., Pennsylvania
Andrea C. and Perla D. V., South Carolina
Archer R. and Demetri M., Tennessee
Alexandre J. L., Texas
Sarah Z., Utah
Andrea D. and Cardin N., Virginia
Calvin C., Darren T., and Zoltan R., Washington
Paper Showcase – White House Historical Association
Reid M., Alaska
Kadence J., Arizona
Tyler M., Connecticut
Hugo R., Illinois
Abhijay M., Indiana
Jiayi C., NHD International
Micah D., Louisiana
Alex C., Michigan
Tinsae O., Minnesota
Ella C., Montana
Vanshika J., Pennsylvania
Naureen H., Texas
Khaos K., Washington
About National History Day (NHD)
NHD is a non-profit organization based in College Park, Maryland, that seeks to improve the teaching and learning of history. Established in 1974, NHD currently engages more than half a million students every year in conducting original research on historical topics of interest and supports teachers through professional development opportunities. Students present their research as a documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, or website. Projects compete first at the local and affiliate levels, where the top entries are invited to the National Contest at the University of Maryland at College Park. NHD is sponsored in part by the Joyful Noise Charitable Foundation, The Better Angels Society, Bezos Family Foundation, Library of Congress, Dr. Scholl Foundation, Behring Global Educational Foundation, and the National Park Service. For more information, visit nhd.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS: mary@nhd.org / DKCNHD@dkcnews.com
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