Getting Started

Step 1: Find Your Region

Students must first compete at their regional contest before they are able to qualify for the upper contest levels. A great first step of the History Day process is to find your assigned region, identify your contest's deadlines, and gather any other instructions needed to plan your project timeline. North Carolina is divided into 7 regions.

N.C. History Day Regional Contest Map

Step 2: Identify Your Contest Deadline & Contest Format

Once you know your assigned region's name, find its box below to see its contest deadlines and dates. You can click on each region's box to view their contest system page which will give the most up-to-date information on the contest. All students must be registered and submit any required materials for their category by the listed deadline in order to participate.

Contest registration will open in early 2023 with directions sent to teachers and posted contest pages. Please email nchistoryday@ncdcr.gov with questions.

Step 3: Plan Out Your Project Timeline

Project timelines are flexible depending on how much time is available. The best way to plan a timeline for when to complete tasks is to work back from when projects are due for the contest. Build in a cushion at the end so that you have plenty of time to submit your project and troubleshoot issues. Make sure you divide your available time so that the biggest chunks of time can be used for the research and project creation stage.

If working in a group, make sure everyone knows and agrees to the schedule and set check-ins to make sure tasks are getting done.

Many teachers set deadlines for the different tasks or stages that need to be completed. If you need to set your own project timeline, here is an example list of tasks to use as your guide.

• Pick a Topic

• Choose Your Category

• Decide whether to work as a group or on your own.

• Conduct Research

• Form Your Historical Argument

• Construct Your Project - set smaller steps to breakdown the construction process depending on your topic.

• Build Your Annotated Bibliography

  • • • NHD Expert Tip! Keep detailed source notes with bibliographical information on each of your sources during the research stage so that this task is easier.

• Write Your Process Paper

• Put Final Project Together - If competing, make sure you follow the NHD rules and any project guidelines provided by the contest coordinators. Make sure you read these carefully and give yourself time to get everything formatted correctly.

• Register for the Regional Contest - If competing, everyone must complete even if working in a group.

  • • • NHD Expert Tip! Register early to avoid last minute stress or problems.

• Submit Required Project Materials to Contest - what is required to submit during registration may vary by category and contest level. Check your contest registration instructions when they are available to make sure you know what is due and when.

  • • • NHD Expert Tip! If you are having to upload a big file, such as a video file, make sure you give yourself several hours to upload.