Webpage last updated: July 25, 2025
Each year National History Day selects a theme that is intentionally broad enough so that you can select topics from anywhere in the world and any time period. During the 2025–2026 school year you and all National History Day students will dive into a topic based on the theme, Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History. You will ask questions about time, place and context, cause and effect, change over time, and impact and significance. You must consider not only when and where events happened, but also why they occurred, and what factors contributed to their development. You will describe your topic and then further develop it through analysis, drawing conclusions about how the topic influenced and was influenced by people, ideas, or events.
It’s important that you read NHD’s Theme Narrative (p.3) before choosing a topic. This theme asks students to explore topics relating to “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.” According to the NHD Theme Narrative, “The distinctions among revolutions, reactions, and reforms are sometimes blurred. Revolutions and reforms are often reactions to ideas, actions, or events. In turn, revolutions and reforms inspire reactions. Think of it as a domino effect—knock one down, which knocks the next one down, which knocks . . .
"The first question that comes to mind is, 'Do students have to focus on all three words—revolution, reaction, reform?' No, students do not have to focus on all three aspects of the theme. It depends on the topic. If the topic involves all three, then students should be sure to include all three."
Topics should be carefully selected and developed in ways that best use students’ talents and abilities. Whether a topic is a well-known event in world history or focuses on a little-known individual from a small community, students should be careful to place their topics into historical perspective, examine the significance of their topics in history, and show how their topic clearly relates to the concepts of revolution, reaction, and/or reform.
After deciding on your research topic, you must investigate historical context, historical significance, and the topic's relationship to the theme by conducting research in libraries, archives, and museums; through oral history interviews; and by visiting historic sites. Also remember to use evidence from your research to explain how your topic has influenced history. In other words, answer the question, "So What?"
Download a copy of this year’s theme book and theme related resources here.
For information:
National History Day®
4511 Knox Road, Suite 205
College Park, Maryland 20740
Phone: (301) 314-9739
Fax: (301) 314-9767
http://www.nhd.org