Resources for History Day
Click the Arrow next to the Step to see the resources available.
Watch this quick video for an overview!
Step 1: Learn about History Day and the Theme for the year
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Watch What is History Day?
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Read the 2021-22 Theme Handout: Debate & Diplomacy in History
Research and Project Checklist to help focus your research.
Step 2: Decide on a Topic and Project Type
Review the following Topic Lists to help get an idea of what you interests you:
- Topic Brainstorming Worksheet
- History Day Topic Exploration Sheet
- Thinking Like an Historian Chart (PDF)
Review the different types of project categories
*Some teachers assign the project category
The project category can change what you are looking for while researching. For example, if you are working on an exhibit/backboard, you will be looking for many more primary resources like letters, photographs, newspaper articles, etc. to put on your backboard that are visually appealing.
Documentary | Exhibit | Paper | Performance | Website
Documentary | Exhibit | Paper | Performance | Website
- Review How Do I Choose My Project Category?
- Review past projects National History Day Project Examples
Step 3: Find Credible (Good Quality) Secondary and Primary Sources
Learn about Primary and Secondary Sources
- Watch What are primary and secondary sources? 2min 30 seconds
- Review Primary or Secondary Sources Sheet
- Complete Research Questions using 1-2 secondary sources to help you figure out what your project is about
Secondary Resources
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Find a book in the library: Library Catalog link and Watch How to Use the Library Catalog Video
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Mining Wikipedia (but not using it as a source)
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Databases have primary & secondary sources: AHS Library Databases Log-in Info
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Escolar: Britannica School content in Spanish. Help Video
Primary Resources
- Watch Searching the Library of Congress
- Watch Searching the National Archives Catalog
- Try searching the Library of Congress Digital Collections or National Archives
- Look for a Primary Resource using this List
- Find a book in the library that has Primary Sources: Library Catalog link
- Practice evaluating Primary Sources Analyzing Primary Sources Worksheets
- Black History Month ProQuest Primary Sources
This website contains over 3,000 documents focused on six different phases of Black Freedom:
- Slavery and the Abolitionist Movement (1790-1860)
- The Civil War and the Reconstruction Era (1861-1877)
- Jim Crow Era from 1878 to the Great Depression (1878-1932)
- The New Deal and World War II (1933-1945)
- The Civil Rights and Black Power Movements (1946-1975)
- The Contemporary Era (1976-2000)
Step 4: Organize your research and Write a Thesis Statement
Not all teachers require an outline, but is is very useful to organize your research.
- Use the History Day Outline Worksheet OR History Day Outline Template
- Watch Project Organization: The Basics
- Watch Project Organization: Selecting Evidence
- Exhibit/Backboard Organization (this shows all the parts for any project, including essays)
Write a Thesis Statement
Step 5: Type an Annotated Bibliography, Title Page and Process Paper
Remember to Give Credit to Images and Primary Sources. You may want to be working on your annotated bibliography as you research.
- Watch video Credits, Citations, and Caption on Vimeo
- Watch How to Make an Annotated Bibliography
- Look at this National History Day webpage about Annotated Bibliographies
- Reference Handout All About Annotations And Example Annotated Bibliography
- Citation/Credit Handout for Images and Primary Sources
- Noodletools is a Citation Creator that will build your Annotated Bibliography. It is free to all students through their school Gmail accounts. Go here to access Noodletools and here to learn how to use it and cite different sources.
- OWL Purdue also has tips for citing sources
Type a Title Page and Process Paper
Step 6: Create a Project
- Watch the Using Sources as Evidence Video Series: Introduction Video
Exhibit, Documentary, Performance, Paper, Website - NHD Category Overview
Click on the links below to help with each type of project. - Documentary | Exhibit | Paper | Performance | Website