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

Step 2: Decide on a Topic and Project Type

Review the following Topic Lists to help get an idea of what you interests you:

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

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

Find a book in the library: Library Catalog link and Watch How to Use the Library Catalog Video
Mining Wikipedia (but not using it as a source)
Quick Digital Research Tips: Smart Site Google Searching
Databases have primary & secondary sources: AHS Library Databases Log-in Info
- Britannica School: Encyclopedia help. Help Video
- Escolar: Britannica School content in Spanish. Help Video
- ProQuest Newspapers, magazines, etc. 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: Selecting Evidence
Exhibit/Backboard Organization (this shows all the parts for any project, including essays)

Write a Thesis Statement

Review Thesis Comparisons (PDF)

Use this History Day Worksheet to Write Your Thesis

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

Handout Title Page, Process Paper, Annotated Bibliography Requirements

Step 6: Create a Project

Resources for History Day

Click the Arrow next to the Step to see the resources available. Watch this quick video for an overview!

Click the Arrow next to the Step to see the resources available.
Watch this quick video for an overview!