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 2023 Awards Ceremony at nhd.org/awardsceremony or view the photos here.

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.


Registration

Registration for the National Contest will open in mid-April and will close on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Continue to check this page for additional National Contest information (registration instructions, shipping to contest, travel information, parking at UMD, and more).

Teachers

On Tuesday, June 11, you can participate in several workshops. Check back for more information on these workshops when National Contest registration opens mid-April.


Contact Us

For assistance regarding the NHD National Contest, please review the following contact information.

  • 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 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 inquires, please email communications@nhd.org.

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).

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.

Contest Category Awards 

Gold NHD medals with white ribbons laying on a table.

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.

Outstanding Affiliate Awards

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.

Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award

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.