History Fair

What is it?

Every year thousands of students across Texas participate in the National History Day program by creating projects relating to the yearly theme. After gathering and analyzing primary and secondary sources, students will be able to present their work in one of five ways: as a paper, an exhibit, a performance, a documentary, or a website. Successful student projects may be entered in regional and state contests. The top two entries in every category at the state/affiliate level are then invited to the National Contest.

Important dates

The official date will be posted and sent out on the History Fair Google classroom page when it's confirmed, however it typically occurs in early December. Winners from our local history fair will be asked to submit their projects to the Spring ISD History Fair, which takes place in January. District winners will advance to Regionals, and Regional winners will advance to the State fair in Austin.

Yearly Theme

This year's theme is Breaking Barriers in History. For more detailed information, you can read the 2020 Theme Book.

Contest Rules

For the official NHD rules, see here.

Sample topics

See the page on sample topics

Creating a Project:

How to Begin the Project:

For details on how to start the project and begin research.

How to pick a topic/understanding the theme:

For more information to understand the theme of Breaking Barriers.

How to Create an Exhibit"

The NHD website goes into detail about each of the categories: documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, and website. Click the button to read about the category you are interested in.

See project examples.

Additional Resources/Annotated Bibliography

For help on finding resources and creating an annotated bibliography

2019-2020 History Fair Deadlines!

  • August 29th Signed History Fair Contract Due
  • August 29th Turn in topic selection for teacher approval – daily grade
  • September 6th Research check: 3 Annotated sources due
  • September 13th ½ of Process paper or research paper due
  • September 20th Completed Annotated bibliography due (7-9 sources, minimum 2 primary)
  • September 27th Submission of process paper for projects or Rough drafts of research
  • papers
  • October 4th Final submission of all materials for completed projects and completed
  • research papers