The Region 9 Ohio History Day follows the rules laid out in the National History Day rule book.
Please consult the rule book for details about each project category:
2022 NHD Evaluation Forms
Student Conduct
Students are expected to conduct themselves, both in-person and online, in a manner that
brings credit to themselves, their schools, and the affiliates they represent. Chaperones are
responsible for the behavior of the students in their charge.
NHD Rules and Policies for Participants
Please remember that National History Day is concerned not only for the safety and well-being
of students, but also for upholding the wishes of parents, teachers, school principals, and the
many supporters who have a vested interest in the students' participation. As guests at the
University of Rio Grande, you are expected to abide by the same rules the school district has
established for its students.
National History Day in Ohio is a year-long program where students choose a topic which is tied to an annual theme. Students then create historical papers, dramatic performances, creative documentaries, museum-like exhibits and websites. Their projects are based in primary and secondary source research and reflect their analysis of the historical topic.
National History Day began as a small, local contest in Cleveland, Ohio in 1974. Dr. David Van Tassel and members of the Department of History at Case Western Reserve University created the program to reinvigorate the teaching and learning of history in elementary and secondary schools. The program quickly expanded throughout Ohio and surrounding Midwestern states. With support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, National History Day (NHD) became a national program in 1980.
Now, more than 600,000 students and participate in National History Day from every state in the Union, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. territories, and the program continues to expand internationally. National History Day received the 2011 National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama. The National Humanities Medal is awarded to individuals or institutions "whose work has deepened the nation's understanding of the humanities, broadened our citizens' engagement with the humanities, or helped preserve and expand Americans' access to important resources in the humanities."
Region 9 Ohio History Day
Hosted by University of Rio Grande in partnership with the Ohio History Connection and Gallia-Vinton ESC sponsored by University of Rio Grande and the Gallia-Vinton ESC the Region 9 Ohio History Day contest will be in person for 2024
Students in grades 6th-12th compete at two different levels: 6-8 in the Junior competition and 9-12 in the Senior competition. Counties in Region 9 include: Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton counties.
2023 Region 9 Contest Information
Date: March 2 2024
Theme: "Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas."
Registration Deadline: February 16, 2024
2024 Contest: IN PERSON
Fee: $10.00 per student (checks payable to Gallia-Vinton ESC) due by the registration deadline.
Mail checks to: Gallia- Vinton ESC,
Attn: David Moore or History Day, P.O. Box 178 60 Ridge Ave. Wood Hall Rm. 131 Rio Grande, Ohio 45674.
*When possible, schools should send a consolidated check for all of their student's payments
Registration Deadline: Friday, February 16, 2024
Judging Criteria
Regardless of the category (documentary, exhibit, performance, paper, website), all entries are judged following the same criteria:
Historical Quality (80%)
- Historical Argument
- Wide Research
- Primary Sources
- Historical context
- Multiple Perspectives
- Historical Accuracy
- Siginificance in History
- Connection to theme
- Student Voice
Clarity of Presentation (20%)
- Presentation, written materials are original, clear, appropriate, organized and articulate
- Entry is organized; visual impact is appropriate to topic