NHD Rule Book

The NHD Rule Book has been UPDATED for the 2021 Contest.

To download a copy of the NEW & UPDATED NHD Rule Book, click HERE.

Disqualification

A project may be disqualified from the contest on three grounds:

1. Plagiarizing all or part of the NHD project. Please note that failing to give proper credit is plagiarism
2. Reusing, individually or as a group, a project (or research from a project) from a previous year, or entering a project in multiple contests or entry categories within a contest year.
3. Tampering with any part of the project of another student.

Student Conduct

Students are expected to conduct themselves, both in person and online, in a manner that brings credit to themselves, their schools, and the affiliates they represent.

Begun in 1974, at Case Western University in northern Ohio, National History Day is a year-long academic program focused on historical research, interpretation, and creative expression for 6^th to 12^th grade students. By participating in NHD, students become writers, filmmakers, web designer, playwrights, and artists as they create unique contemporary expressions of history. The experience culminates in a series of contests at the local and state levels, and an annual national competition in the nation’s capital in June.

The Johnston Farm & Indian Agency is an historical site in west central Ohio, where visitors can tour John Johnston's 1815 homestead, as well as other landmarks that span more than a thousand years of history. For more information, click here.

The Johnston Farm & Indian Agency is partnered with the Ohio History Connection.

What to Expect During the contest

How will my project be judged?

Judges are evaluating your project using two different levels of criteria:

Historical Quality (80%)

The Historical Quality of your project is worth 80% when it comes to the judges final decision.

Historical quality focuses on:

1) The accuracy of facts;

2) Your analysis and interpretation of the material;

3) Your understanding of historical context;

4) A wide array of research represented in the annotated bibliography;

5) A balanced, unbiased presentation of your materials; and,

6) The use of available primary sources.

This section also includes your topic's connection to the annual theme. 

Clarity of your Presentation (20%)

This criteria is worth 20% in your final evaluation.

Clarity of presentation focus on:

1) Whether the entry is presented in an effective, original and creative manner; and,

2) Whether an entry is in compliance with the rules.  (See link under "Rules")

Failure to follow the rules will count against an entry in the final decisions by the judges. 

At every level of competition ALL JUDGES DECISIONS ARE FINAL!