Contest Rules
The NHD Contest Rule Book applies to all projects at all levels of virtual and in-person competitions (county, state, and national).
NHD Contest Rule Book
If you have any questions about the contest rules or project guidelines please don’t hesitate to reach out to history.day@manateeclerk.com
About Us
Manatee History Day is the local affiliate of National History Day (NHD), a nationwide contest designed to interest students in history and encourage them to learn about history through primary research. Instead of reading about a historical person or event in a textbook, students are asked to do research in the documents or materials produced during that time period. Students use sources such as newspapers, diaries, letters, photographs, government records, and oral history interviews to answer questions about the past. Then, they can choose how they will present their information. Papers, documentaries, exhibit boards, web sites, and performances are the five kinds of entries that are accepted for competition. Through research and analysis of their information, students make the past come alive!
Every year National History Day frames students’ research within a historical theme. The theme is chosen for the broad application to world, national, or state history and its relevance to ancient history or to the more recent past. This year’s theme is Turning Points inHistory. The intentional selection of the theme for NHD is to provide an opportunity for students to push past the antiquated view of history as mere facts and dates and drill down into historical content to develop perspective and understanding.
The NHD theme provides a focused way to increase students’ historical understanding by developing a lens to read history, an organizational structure that helps students place information in the correct context and finally, the ability to see connections over time.
Day of Contest
This year Manatee History Day competition will be a hybrid virtual and in-person competition.
- Performance judging will take place in-person at Manatee Village Historical Park on Saturday, February 3.
- Exhibit Board judging will take place in-person at Manatee Village Historical Park on Monday, February 5.
- The Awards Ceremony will take place in-person at Manatee Village Historical Park on Saturday, February 10 at 2 PM.
- Historical Paper, Website, and Documentary judging will take place virtually.
MHD judges will NOT interview students at this year's competition.
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If you would like to be added to our Teacher email list for the latest contest updates please notify staff at history.day@manateeclerk.com.
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Please Note: Entries for the State Team will be selected from each category based on entry content, subject matter, and research conducted. Winning 1st or 2nd place does not guarantee selection to move on to the next level of competition.