Alabama History Day is the state contest of National History Day, a competition that engages middle school and high school students in robust and creative historical research. Bring AHD to your school this 2026-2027 academic season, leading up to our spring regional and state contests!
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.
The theme for Alabama History Day 2027 is “Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change.” Get those ideas firing!
Interested in learning how to bring History Day to your classroom and school this year? Contact Idrissa N. Snider, Ph.D., our program coordinator, at isnider@alabamahumanities.org.
Alabama History Day 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! 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.
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 2027 theme is Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change. 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.
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.
2026 Special Awards
For the 2026-2027 academic year, the National History Day theme is “Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change.”
Learn more
Got AHD questions? Want to bring a History Day teacher workshop to your school? Contact Program Coordinator Idrissa N. Snider, Ph.D., at isnider@alabamahumanities.org.
For more information and to get involved in Alabama History Day, email isnider@alabamahumanities.org.