Calling all students: National History Day competition offers opportunities to learn from the past



For the first time since 2004, Louisiana students will join those in 48 other states, and the District of Columbia, in participating in National History Day. The theme for this year’s submissions is The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies. The state competition will be held at The National World War II Museum in New Orleans on Saturday, May 2, 2009. Students that qualify on a state level will then compete in National History Day in College Park, MD on June 14 – 19, 2009.



National History Day, which began in 1974, is the nation’s leading educational program for history education in the schools. The program annually draws more than two million participants in grades six through twelve from all over the country. National History Day also provides educational services to students and teachers, including a summer internship program, curricular materials, online resources and annual teacher workshops and training institutes.



The state competition will involve students in grades six through 12, with separate categories from Junior Division (grades 6-8) and Senior Division (grades 9-12). In each division, there are seven contest categories which provide for individual and group projects in formats ranging from traditional written papers to dramatic performances, documentaries and exhibits. To participate in the Louisiana state competition, a completed registration form must be submitted no later than March 6, 2009.



In addition to sponsoring National History Day in Louisiana, The National World War II Museum will serve as a source for World War II themed projects nationwide. Last year, nearly 25 percent of National History Day entries nationwide focused on a World War II related topic.



“It is very exciting to have Louisiana competing in National History Day again,” said Cathy Gorn, Executive Director of National History Day. “We are extremely grateful to The National World War II Museum for sponsoring the state competition in Louisiana, a state with such a unique and vibrant culture and history.”



For more information on National History Day in Louisiana or to register, visit the Education section of www.nationalww2museum.org or call 504-527-6012 x 225. For information on the national competition, visit http://nhd.org/ or call 301-314-9739.



The National World War II Museum tells the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world – why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today. Dedicated in 2000 as The National D-Day Museum and now designated by Congress as America’s National World War II Museum, it celebrates the American Spirit, the teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifice of the men and women who fought on the battlefront and the Home Front. For more information, call 877-813-3329 or 504-527-6012 or visit www.nationalww2museum.org.