Each year nearly 3,000 students with their families and teachers gather at the University of Maryland, College Park for the week-long National Contest. They come from all fifty United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Department of Defense Schools in the Atlantic, and international schools in China, Korea, and elsewhere (NHD International). The excitement can be felt across the campus. 

The 2026 National Contest

June 14–18, 2026, University of Maryland, College Park

The NHD National Contest kicks off with a Welcome Ceremony to greet students and celebrate their hard work. Students then compete over several days in preliminary and final rounds. Watch the recorded 2025 Welcome Ceremony on YouTube.

The Awards Ceremony on the final day opens with a Parade of Affiliates, where students from every affiliate marched and showed off their local pride, much like during the Olympics. Watch the recorded 2025 Awards Ceremony at nhd.org/awards-ceremony.

Beyond the NHD National Contest, students visit Washington, D.C., where they can explore museums and other historical sites to learn abouttopics for the upcoming year’s theme.

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Registration

Student and teacher registration for the National Contest will open on April 15 at 12:00 p.m. ET and close on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Continue to check this page for additional National Contest information (registration instructions, shipping to the contest, travel information, parking at UMD, and more).

Registration Fees

Student Registration Fee: $165

Teacher Registration Fee: $65

Only teachers attending the National Contest must pay a $65 registration fee. Please note: Teachers are not required to attend the National Contest. This fee includes access to teacher resources, Monday night Teacher Social, Tuesday workshops, Smithsonian Institute or White House Historical Association showcases, and other teacher activities.

Registrants who do not complete payment before the 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 19 deadline will face a $50 Late Fee. The late payment fee will increase to $60 on Thursday, May 21. If payment is not completed by Friday, May 22, the late fee will increase to $75. If you need to complete your payment after the May 19 deadline, you must contact the NHD National Office.

Teachers

Teachers attending the contest must register and pay the $65 teacher registration fee. If you are not planning to attend the contest, please still register, but you do not need to pay the teacher registration fee. Teachers who register and pay the fee will receive access to the latest NHD digital resources, entrance to the Monday night Teacher Social, and access to the Tuesday teacher workshops. In addition, they will receive access to contest week activities, including showcases at the Smithsonian Institute or White House Historical Association, and participation in any other teacher activities at the National Contest.

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Judging

Are you interested in serving as a judge for the NHD National Contest? The 2026 National Contest will be held in person at the University of Maryland, College Park, from June 14-18, 2026. Judge registration is now open.