Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 29, 2025
National History Day Arizona 2026 Kicks Off in January with “Revolution, Reaction, and Reform” Theme
[Arizona] — The Arizona Historical Society (AHS) is excited to announce the kickoff of National History Day Arizona 2026, a statewide academic competition that engages thousands of students in historical research, analysis, and creative presentation. Registration for the 2026 competition opens January 1, 2026.
Each year, National History Day invites students to explore the past through a unifying theme. The 2026 theme, “Revolution, Reaction, and Reform”, encourages students to examine moments of significant change in history and the responses they have inspired— from grassroots movements and political upheavals to social, cultural, and technological transformations.
National History Day (NHD) is a national nonprofit educational program for students competing nationwide in grades 6-12, with grades 4-5 eligible to compete at the state level in Arizona. Through their research projects, students develop critical inquiry, historical thinking, and communication skills by selecting individual topics connected to the annual theme and presenting their findings through original papers, exhibits, performances, websites, or documentaries.
As the Arizona affiliate of National History Day, the Arizona Historical Society partners with educators, schools, and cultural institutions across the state to support students and teachers throughout the program— providing access to primary sources, hosting workshops, and accompanying students to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Competition in the summer. Students begin their research in the fall and advance through a series of regional competitions held in the spring.
National History Day Arizona 2026 Contest Schedule
- East Valley Contest: February 21, 2026 University of Arizona, Chandler
- Southern Contest: February 28, 2026 Arizona History Museum, Tucson
- West Valley Contest: March 14, 2026 Northwest Christian High School, Phoenix
- Northern Contest: March 21, 2026 Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff
- State Contest: April 2026 South Mountain Community College, Phoenix (Exact date to be announced)
Students who advance from the Arizona State Competition will represent the state at the National History Day Contest, held in June at the University of Maryland, College Park, just outside Washington, D.C., and have a chance to tour our nation’s capital.
“National History Day empowers students to become historians, motivating them to research with primary and secondary sources, evaluate historical significance, and draw evidence-based conclusions,” said NHD Coordinator, Leonard Moody, “Through this process, students gain essential critical thinking skills, problem solving, and information literacy. NHD works as a huge boost to students’ education by emphasizing the components that come with project based learning.”
Educators interested in incorporating National History Day into their curriculum are supported through instructional materials, professional development workshops, and ongoing guidance from NHD Arizona and AHS staff.
For more information about National History Day Arizona, registration details, and educator resources, please visit https://arizonahistoricalsociety.org/education/national-history-day-arizona/
Media Contact:
Alexandra Bushman
Communications Manager
Arizona Historical Society
480-387-5357 | [email protected]
Leonard Moody
NHD Coordinator
Arizona Historical Society
