History Day

Each year National History Day (NHD) uses a theme to provide a lens through which students can examine history. NHD is open to students in grades 6-12. The purpose of the competition is to encourage students to use critical thinking and research skills to make meaningful historical connections with a topic related to the annual theme. 

The NHD 2022 theme is Debate & Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences. Students can choose topics from local, national, or world issues or events.

The 2023 History Day theme is Frontiers in History: People, Places and Ideas

Regional Competition at Southeast Missouri State University

How to Create an NHD Project

Rule Book

• 2022 Theme Book
• 2022 Theme Narrative
• Selecting a Topic Based on the NHD Theme

• Regional History Topics
  • Themed Topic Resources Curated by the Center for Regional History - Dr. Adam Criblez, Director

• United States and World History Topics
  • Themed Topic Resources Curated by the National Archives
  • Themed Topic Resources Curated by the Digital Public Library of America

For questions about the National History Day contest at Southeast, please contact:

• Dr. Courtney Kisat (ckisat@semo.edu) - Coordinator
• Dr. Adam Criblez (acriblez@semo.edu)
• Dr. Joe Snyder (jmsnyder@semo.edu) 
• Dr. Katie Lee (klee@semo.edu)