Innovative Projects Covered Historical Topics With Lessons for Today, Including Fighting White Supremacy, Battling a Plague and Understanding the Complicated Legacy of Dr. Seuss
64 Students Eligible to Advance to State Contest
Brooklyn, NY—The Center for Brooklyn History at Brooklyn Public Library announced the winners of the New York City History Contest on Friday. Top honors were awarded to projects exploring an extraordinarily wide range of historical events, spanning from the Middle Ages to today and across the globe from Times Square to China. In learning how to conduct historical research and use archival materials, students studied the last American slave ship, the war on drugs, race and the Rockettes, and the international influence of a Taiwanese pop star.
“Congratulations to the winners and to all the students who participated in New York History Day,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library. “We hope they will return to the Center for Brooklyn History for many years to come, to continue honing their research skills and their understanding of our past, so that they can build a brighter future.”
In all, 120 students participated representing 23 schools across the city. They submitted group and individual projects in five categories—exhibits, performances, websites, papers, and documentaries—addressing the theme Communication in History: The Key to Understanding. A complete list of winners can be found here, including special awards for outstanding projects on social activism, women’s history and People of Color.
Roberto Bloodworth, a seventh grader at the Dock Street School in Brooklyn, worked with a classmate to create a documentary titled “A comparison of African American television” which won the award for Outstanding Project from a First Time School. “I really enjoyed history day because it allowed my group to make a documentary exploring topics in history we found interesting that were not discussed in school. It also made me think about history as more than names of politicians and dates of battles or laws,” said Bloodworth.
The Center for Brooklyn History at Brooklyn Public Library hosted New York City History Day for the first time this year, taking over from the Museum of the City of New York who generously hosted NYCHD for 30 years. In keeping with safety protocols related to COVID-19, the entire competition was held virtually. Volunteers from cultural heritage institutions, libraries, and academic institutions across the city served as judges.
The contest is the regional component of National History Day, a program that provides over half a million students each year the opportunity to learn about historical research and interpretation along with creative expression. Sixty-four students from New York City have the opportunity to advance to the New York State History Day contest.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. As a leader in developing modern 21st century libraries, we provide resources to support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.7 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We provide nearly 60,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.