Webpage last updated: August 17, 2021
As an affiliate of National History Day (NHD), Florida History Day provides a year-long academic experience that uses history to improve students’ research, critical thinking, and communication skills and expand their awareness and appreciation of the past. Working alone or in a group, students research topics related to a broad theme selected annually by NHD. After gathering, evaluating, and analyzing primary and secondary evidence from archives, libraries, historic sites, and other sources, students present their findings in a web-site, performance, documentary, historical paper, or exhibit.
Students compete at school and county levels. First- and second-place winners in each division and category may advance to the state contest. First- and second-place division and category winners at the state level represent Florida at the National History Day contest in College Park, Maryland, in June. During each round of competition, judging teams evaluate entries and provide feedback to help students improve the content and presentation of their project.
Some counties sponsor an elementary-level contest, but the winners do not advance to the state contest.
Each division includes nine categories. Group entries include two to five students. Categories are judged separately within each division.
Counties pay an annual fee of $150, which enables all students in that county, regardless of their instructional setting, to participate.