National Contest
The National Contest 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 Contest.
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 2024 National Contest
June 9–13, 2024, 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.
The Awards Ceremony on the final day opens with a Parade of Affiliates, where students from every affiliate march and show off their local pride, much like during the Olympics. Watch the recorded 2024 Awards Ceremony at nhd.org/awards-ceremony.
Beyond the NHD National Contest, students can check out Washington, D.C. by participating in our NHD-Explore program. There are many options, including museums and other historical sites, where students can learn about new topics for the upcoming year’s theme.
NHD-Explore (NHDx)
NHD-Explore gives NHD students, teachers, and families the opportunity to register for passes to the National Air & Space Museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, or the Speak Truth event explained in the NHD-Explore Guide.
Update: 6/5/24. NHD-Explore registration is closed. All passes and instructions have been loaded into student and teacher registration envelopes for pickup starting at 9 am on Sunday, June 9. If you are seeking additional passes, come to the Colony Ballroom on Sunday, June 9 and ask for the programs team.
Preparing for the National Contest
The National History Day Contest will take place June 9- 13, 2024, at the University of Maryland, College Park, just 12 miles from Washington, D.C. National History Day’s contest headquarters is located in the Stamp Student Union, 3972 Campus Drive College Park, MD 20742.
NEW! Awards Ceremony Info & Bag Policy
Before arriving to campus, please review the Awards Ceremony Info & Bag Policy document. This contains important information for entry into the Xfinity Center for the NHD National Contest Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 13, 2024.
Arriving at the National Contest
Student Check In
Contest check-in takes place on Sunday, June 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Stamp Student Union, Colony Ballroom. When you check-in, information about schedules, judging times/locations, and campus logistics will be available. To avoid unnecessary hauling of exhibits or props around the building, DO NOT UNLOAD UNTIL AFTER YOU HAVE CHECKED IN. The Union Lane Garage, across from the Stamp Student Union, will offer free temporary parking on Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9. On Saturday and Sunday, there is also free long-term parking in Lots 1 and Z, West of Stamp Student Union.
Late arrivals for the Junior Division can check in from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. on Monday. Senior Division students can check in from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday and 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. Every student (including each member of a group entry) must check in at registration and pick up their registration packet.
If you mailed anything to the Stamp Student Union, it will be in the Prince George’s Room in the Stamp Student Union. If the item you mailed was oversized, it will be at Central Receiving. Please review this document for information on how to collect items from Central Receiving.
Teacher Check In
Teachers may check in at the contest during the same time as student check-in. Look for the signage for Teacher Check-In. It is separate from student check-in.
Housing Check In
During the contest, housing check-in at Stamp Student Union will be available Saturday from 2:00–8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. On Monday, housing check-in moves to the alcove outside the Prince George’s Room in Stamp Student Union from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. You will receive your room assignment and meal card at this time. Please note: On-site NHD Registration and Housing Check-In are separate processes. Please follow the signs to the appropriate area.
Late Housing Check-In:
If you arrive on campus after 8:00 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday, you must go to LaPlata Hall to receive your room assignment and meal card. The telephone number for the LaPlata Hall desk is 301-314-5275. The address is 4121 Farm Drive, College Park, MD 20742.
Dropping off Exhibits or Props
- The Union Lane Garage will offer free temporary parking on Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9. Please park here and walk your exhibits or props across Union Lane to the Stamp Student Union. You can store props in the Prince George’s Room at the Stamp Student Union.
- If the exhibit/prop is heavy, you can drive through the Union Lane Parking Garage and exit onto Union Lane. You can PAUSE your car on Union Lane and put your exhibits or props on the curb. You MAY NOT leave your car unattended on Union Lane.
- You can temporarily park in the Stamp Student Union loading dock if you have a box truck. However, you MAY NOT leave the truck unattended.
- If you want to drop your props off at your judging location on Monday or Tuesday, you may PAUSE your car near/outside your judging building and unload the props onto the curb. You MAY NOT leave your car unattended.
Parking and Shuttles
There are free National History Day shuttles to take you to various locations around the University of Maryland, College Park campus, College Park, and the College Park Metro Station. We will post the shuttle schedule here once it is finalized.
Preparing for Judging
You will receive your judging time/location when you check in. Please review the category submission instructions to see what you will need to bring to present your project at the National Contest.
If you are in the Junior Division (grades 6–8), you will be judged on Monday, June 10, 2024. If you are in the Senior Division (grades 9–12), you will be judged on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.
Documentary and Performance categories are the only categories where students need to be present for the finals round of judging.
For the Junior Division, documentary and performance finalists will be announced Monday evening. Junior Division finals judging will take place on Tuesday evening between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. For the Senior Division, documentary and performance finalists will be announced Tuesday evening. Senior Division finals judging will take place on Wednesday morning between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Exhibit, Paper, and Website categories will not be notified if their project advanced to finals, therefore, they do not need to be present for the finals round.
On-Campus Housing and Hotels
If you would still like to purchase on-campus housing, you may do so. Please log back into your registration account, go to the Store tab, and add additional housing packages/items. Then, check out and pay. Please see the plans and rates below, as well as the hotel options.
If you purchase any of the packages, you can request boxed lunches (a sandwich, chips, a piece of fruit, cookies, and bottled water). Requests will be accepted beginning Wednesday, May 29, by the following deadlines:
● For meals on Sunday (6/9) and Monday (6/10), the deadline is Wednesday, June 5.
● For meals on Tuesday (6/11), the deadline is Friday, June 6.
● For meals on Wednesday (6/12), the deadline is Sunday, June 9.
Please request lunches here beginning Wednesday, May 29: www.summerinfo.umd.edu/nhd. Boxed breakfasts and/or lunches for Wednesday, June 12, will be available for pick up at 6:45 AM on Wednesday at Yahentamitsi Dining Hall. Please make sure you allow enough time to pick up your meal(s) before you meet your bus for departure (if applicable).
If you are part of a group with meal plans, one member can request lunches for everyone in the group (if necessary).
Please note: The College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center room block is sold out, and we are unable to add additional rooms to the room block.
Student/Chaperone Code of Conduct
Teachers
Registered teachers attending the contest 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 Day on the Hill, showcases at the Smithsonian Institute or White House Historical Association, NHD Explore passes, and participation in any other teacher activities at the National Contest.
Tuesday Teacher Workshops
Tuesday, June 11 – 9:00-11:00 a.m.
On Tuesday, June 11, join the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and National History Day (NHD). In the first hour, learn about resources and opportunities from the NEH and EDSITEment. Explore strategies to support your students in their History Day research and throughout the year. In the second hour, explore the 2025 Rights & Responsibilities in History theme and new NHD resources to bring into your classroom.
Travel and Shipping to the University of Maryland, College Park
For additional travel and campus information, visit the UMD Conference and Visitor Services website.
Air Travel
Tip: When searching for a flight online, you can enter WAS for the airport code to search all three airports simultaneously.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport — BWI
BWI typically has the least expensive flight options. It is about a 30-minute drive (28.4 miles) from the University of Maryland, College Park. Public Transportation from BWI to College Park, MD: There is no longer a direct bus option between BWI and College Park. There is a MARC and Amtrak Station located at BWI. As there are frequent changes, construction, etc., please refer to their websites or Google Maps for the latest travel information.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport — DCA
Reagan is the closest airport option. It is about a 30-minute drive (17.8 miles) from the University of Maryland, College Park. Public Transportation from DCA to College Park, MD: The Washington Metro (subway) stops at DCA. Take the Blue Line toward Largo. You can transfer to the Green Line at L’Enfant Plaza. Take the Green Line toward Greenbelt and exit at College Park-UMD. The campus is located 1.5 miles from the Metrorail station. The website for Washington’s Metrorail system has system maps and schedules. As there are frequent changes, construction, etc., please refer to their website or Google Maps for the latest travel information. SmarTrip is the ticketing system for Metro. You can get a plastic SmarTrip card at any station or download the app and preload a digital SmarTrip card. You can find the details on both options here.
Dulles International Airport — IAD
Dulles is the furthest airport option. It is about a 1-hour drive (37.4 miles) from the University of Maryland, College Park. Public Transportation from IAD to College Park, MD: The Washington Metro (subway) stops at IAD. Board the Silver Line toward Largo Town Center. Then transfer to the Green Line at L’Enfant Plaza. Take the Green Line toward Greenbelt. Exit at College Park-UMD. The campus is located 1.5 miles from the Metrorail station. The website for Washington’s Metrorail system has system maps and schedules. As there are frequent changes, construction, etc., please refer to their website or Google Maps for the latest travel information. SmarTrip is the ticketing system for Metro. You can get a plastic SmarTrip card at any station or download the app and preload a digital SmarTrip card. You can find the details on both options here.
Train Travel
Amtrak
Amtrak serves the D.C. area. Visit Amtrak’s website. The closest station to the University is New Carrollton, where you will need to take a taxi or ride the Metro to the campus. At the New Carrollton Station, board the Metro and ride the Orange Line toward Vienna. Transfer to the Green Line at L’Enfant Plaza. Take the Green Line toward Greenbelt. Exit the Metro at College Park-UMD. The campus is located 1.5 miles from the Metrorail station. Alternatively, you may arrive at Union Station in downtown Washington, D.C., but a taxi would cost more from there. You could take the Metro (see below) from Union Station to College Park-UMD.
Metro/Metrorail
Washington’s Metrorail system website has maps and schedules. As there are frequent changes, construction, etc., please refer to their website or Google Maps for the latest travel information. SmarTrip is the ticketing system for Metro. You can get a plastic SmarTrip card at any station or download the app and preload a digital SmarTrip card. You can find the details on both options here. First time using Metro? Check out this helpful article.
Driving
All campus locations have a physical address that can conveniently guide you via any GPS-enabled device. We recommend you use the address for the Adele H. Stamp Student Union: 3972 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20742.
Parking
If you purchase housing packages, parking is included in the rate, and there will be parking spots near the dorms. All other parking will be much more limited this year, as the University of Maryland lost many spaces/lots due to the Metro Purple Line construction.
Pending availability, representatives from the Department of Transportation Services will be available at registration during the following hours to assist with permit purchase and answer questions: Saturday, 2:00 pm–8:00 pm, and Sunday, 9:00 am–8:00 pm. Beginning Monday, guests should pre-purchase permits online or park in designated visitor parking lots and pay the hourly/daily fee. Permits may be purchased at the Department of Transportation’s office in Regents Drive Garage during business hours, 8:15 am–4:00 pm.
You can find more information about on-campus parking here.
You can find more information about ADA Parking FAQs here.
You can find more information about off-campus parking here.
Shuttles
There are free National History Day shuttles to take you to various locations around the University of Maryland, College Park campus, College Park, and the College Park Metro Station. You can access the shuttle routes here.
Shipping
To ship items to the University of Maryland, College Park, please follow these instructions.
Map
Check out this map of the University of Maryland, College Park to familiarize yourself with the important NHD locations around campus.
Campus Construction
Please review this document for information regarding campus construction this summer. Please be mindful that campus construction will impact travel around campus.
Contact Us (Before Contest Week)
Please review the following contact information for assistance regarding the NHD National Contest.
- For general registration and contest questions, please email registration@nhd.org or call the National History Day office at 301-314-9739.
- For technical support issues, please email IT@nhd.org.
- For questions regarding on-campus housing and meals, please email NHDhousing@umd.edu or call 301-314-6637.
- For questions regarding payment, please email lorena@nhd.org.
- For press and media inquiries, please email communications@nhd.org.
Contact NHD (During Contest Week)
National History Day’s office will be closed during the contest week. Do not use the NHD office number for emergencies during the contest. Any questions during the contest should be directed to National History Day staff, who will be stationed in the Stamp Student Union. The main number for the Stamp Student Union is 301-314-3375. Please note: University staff at the Stamp Student Union can provide general campus and building information but not specific competition information. If you need to reach the NHD staff in an emergency, please call 301-314-0340.
National Contest FAQs
What if I cannot attend the National Contest?
Please contact your affiliate coordinator ASAP. You can find their contact information here: nhd.org/affiliates. There will not be any virtual judging components. All judging will take place in person.
What is the refund policy for registration fees or housing/meal packages?
Please review the policy here: Refund Policy
When will I be judged?
If you are in the Junior Division (grades 6–8), you will be judged on Monday, June 10, 2024, between 10 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If you are in the Senior Division (grades 9–12), you will be judged on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. You will receive your precise judging time and location at National Contest check-in.
What should I expect during judging?
For the exhibit, website, and paper categories, the judges will interview you about your project during your judging time. You do not need to prepare any type of presentation – the judges will ask you questions about your project.
For the documentary and performance categories, you will show your documentary or performance to the judges, and then the judges will interview you following your project – the judges will ask you questions about your project.
You will receive your judging time/location when you check in at the contest (beginning on Sunday, June 9).
What should I wear?
During the contest week, keep in mind that it will be hot and humid. Dress accordingly. For your judge interview, there isn’t a specific dress code, but students typically wear nice pants, a shirt, or a dress, with the exception of the performance category, who have costumes.
What if my project advances to finals?
Documentary and Performance categories are the only categories where students need to be present for the finals round of judging.
For the Junior Division (grades 6–8), documentary and performance finalists will be announced Monday evening (on this page of the NHD website, the NHD app, and on the TVs in Stamp Student Union). Junior Division finals judging will take place on Tuesday evening between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. For the Senior Division (grades 9–12), documentary and performance finalists will be announced Tuesday evening (on this page of the NHD website, the NHD app, and on the TVs in Stamp Student Union). Senior Division finals judging will take place on Wednesday morning between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Exhibit, Paper, and Website categories will not be notified if their project advanced to finals. Therefore, they do not need to be present for the finals round.
Do I need to attend the National Contest for the entire week?
No, you only need to be present for your judging time. All other events are optional.
What is NHD-Explore?
Please watch this video and read this guide to learn more about the NHD-Explore program and other activities.
Where can I find information about accessibility on the University of Maryland, College Park campus?
Please visit this page of the UMD website: https://accessibility.umd.edu/visitors-to-campus
Do I need a chaperone?
Yes, all students need a chaperone throughout the contest week. You will list the chaperone in your student account when you register. Chaperones are responsible for the behavior of the students in their charge. If you are staying in the dorms, you will need to list a chaperone who will be with you in the dorms when you register for housing. Chaperones do not need to register separately.
What safety measures are in place at the University of Maryland, College Park?
Please review this document.
Contest Week Programming
National History Day partners with museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions in Washington, D.C. to offer dynamic programming for students and teachers during contest week: from field trips to showcases featuring students’ projects to engaging activities and professional development opportunities. We call these opportunities NHD-Explore (or NHDx for short).
Watch this video to learn more about additional opportunities during the NHD National Contest week and learn more in the NHD-Explore Guide here.
Contest Awards
The National Contest provides several types of awards for outstanding student entries. To find out about special prizes or awards at affiliate and local contests, contact your affiliate coordinator.
The National Contest Awards Ceremony will be Thursday, June 13. The ceremony will be livestreamed and available at https://nhd.org/en/awards-ceremony/.
Contest Category Awards
The top three entries in each contest category receive awards.
Additionally, students whose entries win 1st place in each category receive the designation of National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Scholars.
Special Prizes
View the list of current special prizes available to participants of the National Contest.
Two entries from each NHD Affiliate (one in the Junior Division and one in the Senior Division) have the opportunity to receive Outstanding Affiliate Awards.
Quality teachers are critical to student success. National History Day recognizes their outstanding work and dedication to their students, awarding a teacher in each division with the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Awards, sponsored by the Patricia Behring Foundation.
PATRICIA BEHRING TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS 2023
Junior Division: Terry Kaldhusdal, Kettle Moraine Middle School, Dousman, Wisconsin
Senior Division: Sarah Razee, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award Winners 2022
Junior Division: Lizandaa Alburg, The Paterson Academy for the Gifted and Talented, School 28, Paterson, New Jersey
Senior Division: Amy Page, Moriarty High School, Moriarty, New Mexico
Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award Winners 2021
Junior Division: Suzanne Zmijewski Lim, Winthrop L. Chenery Middle School, Belmont, Massachusetts
Senior Division: Jeni Boulanger, Oak Hills High School, Oak Hills, California
Judging
Are you interested in judging for the NHD National Contest? The 2024 National Contest will be held in person at the University of Maryland, College Park. Judge registration is now open. For more information, and to register as a judge, click here.
