Welcome, History Day Students! Use this page as a guide to help you through this challenging and rewarding project.
How to Participate
History Day students participate through their schools. Ask your teacher about whether your school participates in History Day. Schools may decide which classes, teachers, and grade levels participate. Participating schools are allowed to send a limited numbers to compete at the CMHD Regional Contests in the spring. Your teacher is the final authority at your school in determining all rules and requirements for your project, including due dates and limitations on topics and categories.
If you are a student attending a school that does not participate in History Day, you may submit a History Day project as an Independent Scholar. In order to participate as an Independent Scholar, submit this form.
The History Day Project
Creating a History Day project is a big task, but if you use your time constructively, stay organized, and make use of all the resources available to you, you can create an amazing and successful project!
What does a History Day project look like?
Project Categories
- There are five project categories:
- Click here for more info on each project category
- Watch the “Step Five” video for a more in-depth look at each category
- Check out examples of each type of project from past CMHD contests here (updated February 2021)
- View national award-winning projects from previous years at the NHD Project Examples page
Project Paperwork
Every History Day project must also include:
- A process paper (with title page) – see instructions here
- An annotated bibliography (AB) – see instructions here
Five Steps for a Successful History Day Project
Written Materials
- All projects must have a title page and Process Paper (PP)
- All projects must include an Annotated Bibliography (AB)
- Check out our tips to avoid plagiarism
Be sure to check out the NHD Project Categories page for more tips on each category!
Click here to visit the NHD Website’s Project Examples page. This contains examples of national award-winning projects from each NHD category.
Awards
Projects competing in the Chicago Metro History Day regional contests are eligible to self-nominate for a variety of Student Special Awards. Awards are a great way to allow more people to see your project, look great on school applications, and include cash prizes for students!
<< Click here to return to the Chicago Metro History Day homepage