Celebrate 50 Years of National History Day

Since 1974, National History Day® (NHD) has been inspiring students to study history, learn about the past, and make connections to their own lives and times. Today, National History Day reaches over 500,000 students every year who conduct historical research to discover the past, understand the present, and be the future. Tens of thousands of teachers expand their history knowledge – and NHD’s seminars, workshops, and professional development opportunities help them develop their teaching skills. 

How can you celebrate with us?

Here are some ways you can join in on the celebration.

Join Us at the 2024 National Contest

50th Anniversary Honorary Committee

Carla Hayden

Librarian of Congress

Colleen Shogan

Archivist of the United States

Doris Kearns Goodwin

Pulitzer Prize-winning Presidential Historian

Douglas Brinkley

Professor of History at Rice University

Elizabeth Cobbs

Professor of American History at Texas A&M University

Heather Cox Richardson

Professor of History at Boston College

Imani Perry

Professor of Women’s Studies and African American Studies at Harvard University

Jake Tapper

CNN Chief Washington Correspondent

Jonathan Capehart

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist

Judy Woodruff

PBS NewsHour Senior Correspondent

Ken Burns

Documentary Filmmaker

Lonnie Bunch

Secretary of the Smithsonian

Martin Sheen

Golden Globe Award-Winning Actor

Stacy Schiff

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Biography Writer

Stanley Nelson

Documentary Filmmaker

Walter Isaacson

Professor of History at Tulane University

Wolf Blitzer

CNN News Anchor

Judge & Volunteer Challenge Donors

In May 2024, we issued a challenge to our National History Day judges and volunteers to help us raise $10,000 for our 50th Anniversary. A longtime friend of NHD offered to match $10,000 of donations from judges and volunteers. We surpassed our goal – raising $14,768 – totaling $24,768! In honor of this fundraising achievement, the 2024 National Contest paper category awards will be named in honor of NHD’s judges and volunteers.

Thank you to the NHD judges and volunteers who donated to this fundraising challenge: