Ohio History Day

Ohio History Day:
It’s like a Science Fair, but for History!

Ohio History Day (OHD) is an affiliate of National History Day (NHD), a free interdisciplinary and project-based learning program that meets Ohio’s Learning Standards and allows students of all abilities to tell the stories that inspire them!

OHD is for students in grades 6-12. It is open to all public, private, and homeschooled children.

This year’s theme is Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History!

Contact

Steve Lucht, Region 7 Coordinator
937-293-2841, Ext. 131
slucht@daytonhistory.org

Event Details

Saturday, March 7, 2026
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Registration Closes:
Friday, February 20, 2026

Registration & Info

Location

Carillon Historical Park
1000 Carillon Blvd.
Dayton, Ohio 45409

Frequently Asked Questions

What is History Day?

It’s like a Science Fair, but for History!

National History Day is a nationwide event. Each state holds its own contests. In Ohio, it’s called Ohio History Day. The program is administered by the Ohio History Connection (OHC) in Columbus. OHC divides the state into ten regions. Each region holds a contest. The winners of those contests qualify for the statewide contest each April. First and second-place entries at the Ohio History Day State Competition are eligible to participate in the National History Day contest held each June at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland.

How does History Day work?

Students (public, private, and homeschooled) may participate in OHD as part of a class assignment, an extracurricular activity, a homeschool project, or individual enrichment.

Each year, students in grades 6-12 choose topics that relate to an annual theme. Students then research and share their findings in one of five presentation categories: Research Paper, Exhibit, Documentary, Performance, or Website. Students then enter their projects into the Ohio History Day competition in their region. The National History Day Contest Rulebook covers the project framework in detail.

Who can participate?

The program is open to students in grades 6-12 (about 11-18 years old) who attend public or private schools or are homeschooled.

If your school/home is in Region 7, your students are eligible to participate. Region 7 comprises the following counties: Montgomery, Mercer, Auglaize, Logan, Shelby, Darke, Miami, Champaign, Greene, Preble, and Clark.

Why participate?

History Day helps teachers meet a variety of standards. The skills that your students learn will continue to benefit them long after they leave your classroom.

Ohio History Day teaches students to:
· Conduct research in local, state, national, and world history
· Analyze and synthesize information, including primary and secondary sources
· Write and present an argument
· Create imaginative exhibits, documentaries, papers, performances, and websites
· Participate in action civics
· Develop self-esteem and confidence

Where is the Region 7 contest held?

The event will be held at Carillon Historical Park in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday, March 7, 2026. For more information about registration and deadlines, go to the Region 7 website

When did National History Day start?

In 1974, the History faculty at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland created History Day to reinvigorate the teaching and learning of history in elementary and secondary schools. Since then, National History Day has grown into a national project with nearly 600,000 students participating from every state in the Union, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. territories.

Where can I get more information?

Contact the Region 7 Coordinator, Steve Lucht, at slucht@daytonhistory.org or 937-281-4404.

The Region 7 History Day website: oh-rjiafrc.nhd.org

Ohio History Day: ohiohistory.org/education/ohio-history-day

National History Day: nhd.org/en

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Ohio History Day