Information for Students
Who else does History Day? Some students participate as part of history class. Others do History Day as an independent project or for extra credit. Students in schools and home schools participate. Creating a project for Vermont History Day can help you learn history and new skills!
Watch our VHD YouTube video or follow this link to see what some students from New York have to say.
What is the theme this year? The 2012 theme is Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History. Your project can be about Vermont history, US history or world history - but it must relate to the theme. You can focus on either revolution OR reaction OR reform. However, many topics cover two or more of these areas. Your project must draw conclusions, based on evidence, about how the topic affected people, communities, nations, and the world. You must also explain how the topic is related to the theme.
Need more info about the theme? Check out the National History Day "Getting Started " web page, the 2012 Theme Sheet , or the 2012 Theme Booklet!
Can you give me an example of a topic that fits the theme? You could do a project about the presence of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in Vermont. Even though immigrant groups, like the Irish, Italians, and French Canadians, were important for the growth of the state, many Vermonters believed they were outsiders. The KKK may be considered a reaction against immigration. Thousands of Vermonters joined the KKK, a group that harassed African Americans, Jews, and Catholics. In Vermont, the KKK burned crosses and raided Catholic churches.
After exploring the presence of the KKK in Vermont, you might decide to focus on the reactions of Vermonters who were unhappy with the KKK’s activities. You could read newspaper editorials that criticized the KKK or about Vermonters who boycotted businesses owned by Klansmen.
Do not forget that many topics fall into two or more of the areas included in the theme. You might also want to include in your project the reforms Vermonters made in reaction to the KKK. Some towns passed laws that banned meetings of people wearing masks or disguises.
No matter what topic you choose, your project must draw conclusions, based on evidence, about how the topic affected people, communities, nations, and the world. You must also explain how the topic is related to the theme. In a project about the KKK, you may want to examine the impact of the KKK on individual Vermont communities or how the KKK in Vermont compared to the presence of the KKK in the rest of country.
When you create a History Day project, you are the historian and you get to decide your direction based on your interests and research!
What is a primary source and why do I need to use them?
Primary sources are the building blocks of history that help us know what happened in the past. This poster promoted a KKK meeting near Poultney in the 1920s.
If you read the poster closely, you can learn a lot about the KKK in Vermont. For example, what religious group were Klansmen a part of? What were some things Klansmen did during their meetings?
Historians – and History Day students – use primary sources to know what happened and to develop our own interpretations of the past.
Follow this link for more information about primary sources and where to find them online.
What are some other Vermont topics that fit the theme? Read this list of possible Vermont topics (PDF).
Where can I go in Vermont to find primary sources? Many museums, libraries and archives have primary sources like diaries, letters, maps and photographs. The Vermont Historical Society library and archives has a great collection of primary sources. Some of these are even available online. There are many museums and libraries in Vermont that have primary source collections (PDF) .
What type of project should I do? There are five categories for History Day projects. You should choose the category that best matches with your strengths. If you are artistic, you might want to create an exhibit or a performance. If you are good with computers, you could make a web site or documentary. And if you like to write, you might want to do a research paper. All of the categories require research - and a bibliography. If you need more help deciding, see what National History Day has to say about starting a project and creating an entry. You also need to decide whether you want to create an individual entry or a group entry - with a group of 2 to 5 students. (Papers must be individual projects.)
Are there examples of projects? The National History Day web site has examples of winning entries in each category. Follow this link and then click on a particular category to find the sample entry. You can also borrow examples from the Vermont Historical Society lending library.
Are there rules I need to follow to create my entry? Yes, there are rules about things like how many words can be in your exhibit (500) or how long your documentary can be (10 minutes). Click here for the official rule book. And if you want to make a web site, you must create your entry using the NHD/Weebly portal.
What will judging at the Vermont History Day contest be like? At the state contest, you will talk with two or three judges about your project. They will probably ask you questions like why did you choose your topic and what did you learn from your research. The judges will also provide feedback about your entry - which is really helpful if you qualify for National History Day. Click here for more information about what the judges will be looking for.
Can I win any prizes?The main reason to participate in History Day is to learn! But there are some prizes. The top two entries in each category with an superior or excellent rating qualify to attend National History Day in June in College Park, Maryland. (Each category is also split into Junior and Senior divisions, so you are competing against students your own age.) There are also Special Prizes, some of which offer prize money that some students use to pay for their trip to National History Day.
Do you have any resources about creating History Day projects? We do - and you can borrow them from our lending library. Check out the list of helpful books and videos.
Can I get some feedback or suggestions before the contest? Yes! Come to the Student Help & Research Day (PDF) on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at the Vermont History Center in Barre. Help will be available from 12:00-8:00. You can also research at the Vermont Historical Society Library that day if your project involves Vermont history.
What's the deadline to enter Vermont History Day? March 9, 2012 is the registration deadline. But follow this link for all the details and here for an entry form (PDF). The entry fee is $5 for individual entries, $10 for pairs, and $15 for groups of 3 to 5 students.
If you have any more questions, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - (802) 828-2180 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - (802) 828-1413.
