Structure and History

What is National History Day?

What NHD Does

1. National History Day is best known for its annual contest for students in grades 6-12. The contest is massive in scope and reaches over 600,000 students at the regional level across 58 Affiliates. 

2. Besides supporting the contest, NHD seeks to improve history education through programmatic materials, professional development opportunities for teachers, and participation in national forums.

3. As NHD recognizes the critical role played by teachers in the promotion of history education, NHD conducts a variety of professional development for teachers, including webinars, webinar series, and online graduate courses. NHD leads on-site professional development training for schools and Affiliates and offers summer institutes based on a historical topic in a relevant place. Opportunities vary and are shared with the coordinators.

NHD's Mission and Goals

The future of democracy depends on an inspired, thoughtful, and informed citizenry. Historical understanding is crucial to that process. National History Day teaches essential historical literacy that motivates students to secure the future of democracy.

NHD's key initiatives, in accordance with a strategic plan adopted in 2006 and renewed in 2009, are:

1. Strengthen and grow the NHD Affiliate programs;

2. Balance and strengthen existing income;

3. Establish and increase brand awareness; and

4. Strengthen operational infrastructure.

A new strategic planning process will be underway soon. Coordinators will be engaged as key stakeholders in the program.

Program History

National History Day originated in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1974, the brainchild of faculty members in the History Department of Case Western Reserve University. Concerned about the state of history education in the local schools, they organized a history fair. The contest quickly expanded to other states, and in 1980, the first national contest was held in Washington, D.C. 

Since then, NHD has grown to include the annual participation of more than 600,000 students and 30,000 teachers from across the country. However, National History Day's fundamental purpose remains the same: to reform and transform the way history is taught in elementary and secondary schools. The contest serves as a vehicle for achieving this purpose. 

Levels of Program

Board of Trustees

The NHD Board of Trustees, with national representation, governs the organization. An Advisory Council of representatives from history-related organizations and the Executive Council of Coordinators assist the board. In addition, NHD has the support of an honorary council of notable individuals who are accomplished in the history and history education fields.

• Board of Trustees Members

• Advisory Council Members

Executive Council of Coordinators

The Council of Coordinators consists of the coordinators from each NHD Affiliate. The council meets during the national contest and stays in touch electronically throughout the year. 

The council is divided into nine regions, each with an elected regional chair. These regional representatives and two at-large members form the aforementioned Executive Council of Coordinators, a body that meets twice yearly with NHD's senior staff.  The chair and one other member of the Executive Council serve on the NHD Board of Trustees.

Coordinators are encouraged to communicate regularly with their regional representatives, who will liaise between the regional members and the Executive Council.  The council has adopted rules of operation to govern the conducting of meetings.