Alabama History Day is the state contest of National History Day, a history competition that engages middle school and high school students in robust and creative historical research.
Alabama History Day students learn how to conduct primary research and analyze sources. Then, they get creative. Students can present their findings as a Paper, Documentary, Website, Performance, or Exhibit. In the process, students become writers, filmmakers, web designers, playwrights, and artists as they create unique contemporary expressions of history.
Students compete in our state competition, traditionally held in March. Winning competitors are eligible to move on to National History Day in the nation’s capital each June.
Interested in bringing a History Day teacher workshop or summer camp to your community? Contact Idrissa N. Snider, AHA program coordinator: 205.558.3996 or [email protected].
You can also check out our promo flyer for Alabama History Day 2024.
And join us for our 2023 Alabama History Day Summer Enrichment Program in Tuskegee!
The Alabama History Day staff invites you to get creative and demonstrate your critical thinking skills in our annual competition. The best thing about this competition is that YOU select the topic and the presentation format! We have a ton of guides and other resources to help you along the way, whether you build a website, create an exhibit, write a paper, prepare a live performance, or film a documentary.
You may work solo or in groups of up to five students. Also, groups can be made up of students in different grade levels, as long as you are in the same division.
If group projects are your thing, start texting your friends and classmates and get to work!
First things first! Review the National History Day rule book with your teacher and family. This will be your guide to a successful project. You can find the rule book HERE. The Spanish version of the rule book can be found HERE.
Before you select a topic, you want to find inspiration in the national theme. The 2023 theme is Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas. You can find the annual theme book HERE and the theme video HERE.
Begin by thinking about a time in history or individuals or events that are interesting to you. Start a list of ideas.
Now, go back through your ideas and circle those that you can easily connect with the theme. From the ideas that you circled, select one to begin your research.
As you begin researching, keep in mind that the sources you use will make a difference in what you learn through study and investigation. It will also enhance the quality of information you include in your projects.
Alabama boasts a wealth of in-state resources for students and teachers, which are especially useful for History Day participants who choose Alabama-based topics. Use the links below to access some of Alabama’s most up-to-date, digitized, and reliable primary source sites, including archives and educational centers statewide. (You’ll also find a National Archives link and one collection from our friends in Mississippi that includes primary sources for many Alabama-based topics.)
After identifying a topic, you must explain its significance in history. Develop an argument for the historical impact of the person, event, pattern, or idea being studied.
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From citations to word count, it's important to review the submission requirements for formatting. You must provide the proper documentation and be prepared to answer judges' questions about your research and presentation.
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Each year, a variety of Special Awards are offered during the Alabama History Day contest to recognize student achievement in particular topic areas. Many of the awards come with cash prizes from our partners.
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Got AHD questions? Want to bring a History Day teacher workshop or student summer camp to your school? Contact Program Coordinator Idrissa N. Snider, Ph.D., at 205.558.3996 or [email protected].
For more information and to get involved in Alabama History Day, email [email protected].
