History Day FAQs

New York City History Day FAQs

If you don't see your question answered below, please email nychd@bklynlibrary.org.

General FAQs

New York City History Day is the regional contest for National History Day (NHD), a program that provides over half a million students each year the opportunity to excel at historical research, interpretation and creative expression. Read more about how NHD helps students succeed.

Any Middle and High School student, including home-schooled students, attending school in New York City can participate in NYCHD. Grades 6-8 participate in the Junior Division. Grades 9-12 participate in the Senior Division.

History Day is a fantastic opportunity for students to explore a historical topic they are passionate about. Students take full ownership over their project, choosing what to research, how to present their findings, and who they want to work with. Students gain skills in independent research, critical thinking, and creative expression.

Students can submit History Day projects in five categories: Documentary, Exhibit, Paper, Performance, and Website. For every category except papers, students can choose to enter individually or in a group of 2-5 people.

Registration will be open between January 2, 2025 and February 4, 2025. Projects will not be accepted after the registration deadline. Teachers will have the opportunity to register in December before their students.

The 2025 NYCHD competition will be hybrid. Documentaries, Papers, and Websites will be judged virtually. Exhibits and Performances will be judged in-person at BPL's Central Library. Both the State and the National competitions are fully in-person.

New York State History Day will be held in person at SUNY Oneonta on Sunday, April 27, 2025. National History Day will be held in person at the University of Maryland from June 8 - June 12, 2025.

When registration opens, Students, Teachers, and Judges can all Register Here. All projects must upload the required written materials to their registration profile by the submission deadline. Documentaries, Papers, and Websites must be submitted online as well. Exhibits and Performances are presented for in person judging.

Click Here to visit the NHD Contest Rule and Evaluation page.

It is free! The Center for Brooklyn History covers all application fees for every single student. This includes any fees if you advance to the State or National competitions. Travel and accommodation scholarships will be available for the State and National competitions.

The 2025 History Day theme is "Rights and Responsibilities in History" All projects must connect to the theme. Click here for the NHD theme guide.

Teacher FAQs

Click here to explore our research tools for teachers. You can find guides, videos, and workshops.

Yes! Many teachers incorporate History Day into their teaching and curriculum. For tips on how to do this, or to set up a class visit or meeting, please send us an email at nychd@bklynlibrary.org.

Each school can submit a maximum of 3 projects per division and per category. For example, a school can submit 3 individual documentaries and 3 group documentaries (etc.) However, a school cannot submit 4 individual documentaries. Unfortunately, at this time the registration system will not block a fourth student from registering for the contest, but they will eventually be notified by the History Day coordinator and disqualified. Please work with your students to prevent this from occurring before the contest deadline. If many students from your school would like to participate in History Day, we recommend having an in-school contest prior to the NYC regional contest. For more information or assistance preparing for an in-school contest reach out to NYCHD@BklynLibrary.org.

Student FAQs

Click here to explore our research tools for students. You can find videos, guides, and tips for creating your projects.

Yes, you can focus on any place or period across history as long as it is linked with the annual theme and includes primary and secondary sources. The 2025 theme is "Rights and Responsibilities in History."

Students can choose whether they want to work individually or in a group (2-5 people) for every category except papers. For papers, only individual entries are allowed.

It depends! We recommend giving yourself a minimum of two months to complete your project. This includes the research, planning, writing, editing, and citing stages. This work will not be every day. For example, you might spend a couple of evenings each week and some time on the weekend working on History Day.

All students must have a sponsor teacher to enter NYCHD. Teachers must register before students, so make sure your teachers have agreed to this before you apply. Teachers, check back soon for a pre-registration link.

Yes! Just include your home-school teacher as your sponsor teacher.

Judge FAQs

History Day relies on volunteers to judge the competition. Volunteers are often teachers, museum or non-profit workers, parents, librarians, and interested members of the community. In 2025, judges will have the option of judging Documentaries, Papers, or Websites virtually over a few weeks in February and March virtually, or judge Exhibits or Performances in-person for one full day at BPL's Central Library Branch on Sunday, March 2.

When registration opens, Judges should Click Here for the registration website. Check back in September for more information on deadlines and registration. 


Want to Know More?

Information and Resources for:

STUDENTS   TEACHERS

 

Also Check Out:

National History Day Website

New York State History Day Website

NYCHD Video Playlist

Previous Winners

Congratulations to our 2024 NYCHD Winners

New York City History Day Winners

New York State History Day Winners from the NYC region

National History Day Winners and Participants from the NYC region

Congratulations to our 2023 NYCHD Winners

New York City History Day Winners

New York State History Day Winners from the NYC region

National History Day Winners from the NYC region

 


New York City History Day is generously supported by the Rose M. Badgeley Residuary Charitable Trust and the Morris and Alma Schapiro Fund.

Upcoming Events

Fall Educator Open House

Wed, Oct 9 5:00pm
Center for Brooklyn History

brooklyn collection brooklyn history Center for Brooklyn History

The Center for Brooklyn History invites teachers and educators to our Fall Educator Open House! Unwind from your Wednesday with drinks and snacks while learning about the many ways that CBH can support you and your students throughout the year in our beautiful, landmarked building in Brooklyn…

 

Register for NYC History Day

Registration for History Day will open on January 2, 2025. Teacher pre-registration will open December 9, 2024.

Register Here

 

Get In Touch

Send an email to NYC History Day.

 

History Day Main Page

Return to the History Day Main Page.

Click here