History Day is a curriculum enhancement program designed to change the way that history is taught and learned in middle schools and high schools. History Day promotes a better-informed citizen in a democracy where problem-solving, clarity of thought, in-depth research, character, and rigorous academic learning are critical.

Entries are divided into two divisions: Junior (Grades 6-8) and Senior (Grades 9-12).

Entries may enter one of eight categories: paper (individual only), individual exhibit, group exhibit, individual performance, group performance, individual documentary, group documentary, and individual and group (combined) website design. Each category in each division is judged separately. Groups may include 2 to 5 students. Group participants do not have to be in the same grade to compete together.

Entries are judged on three main elements: historical quality (60%), relation to theme (20%), and clarity of presentation (20%).

The theme for the 2009 National History Day competition is "The Individual in History."

District competition will be held on March 2, 2009 at the University Center on the campus of the University of Tennessee. For further information on East Tennessee History Day, please check out our District News Page. District winners are eligible to compete in the state competition, and winners at state may compete in the national competition.  

To register for the competition or to get more information on Tennessee History Day, please check out the Tennessee History Day website.  

For more information, please check out the National History Day website or contact William E. Hardy, East Tennessee History Day Co-Coordinator by e-mail at .