National History Day in DC is a student research competition taking place on March 28, 2026, at Howard University. As the DC affiliate of National History Day, the DC History Center leads a citywide program that connects students with primary sources, research tools, and content experts as they develop original projects aligned with the year’s theme. Each year, more than 2,000 local students conduct in-depth research to create documentaries, exhibits, performances, research papers, or websites exploring a wide range of historical topics.
National History Day is more than a competition—it is a yearlong learning experience. Serving more than half a million students nationally and internationally, the program helps young people build critical skills in research, writing, analysis of primary sources, and public speaking. In Washington, DC, students advance from school, club, or homeschool competitions to the citywide contest in March. Top projects from National History Day in DC then move on to the national competition in June.
This student-centered event will be held at Howard University and will be open to the public, with limited opportunities to view and celebrate student projects. Additional details will be shared closer to the event date.