Studying liberal arts not only enhances one’s soft skills but also hones logical thinking. Take historical research as an example: unlike the formulaic nature of science subjects, it integrates subjective perspectives, objective facts, and truths. Engaging in historical research helps improve logical thinking and writing skills – two abilities that U.S. universities highly value in students.

The National History Day (NHD), a liberal arts competition, is an excellent opportunity for middle and high school students to develop these abilities. It also serves as a stage for liberal arts students interested in fields like history and sociology to showcase their talents brilliantly!

Interpretation of the New Season Theme

The theme for the 2026 NHD new season is "Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History".

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, NHD has chosen "Revolution, Reaction, and Reform in History" as its 2026 theme. The distinctions between revolution, reaction, and reform are sometimes blurry: revolutions and reforms are often responses to ideas, actions, or events; in turn, revolutions and reforms can trigger reactions. Think of it as a domino effect – knock one down, and the next falls, then the one after that...

What is NHD? Why Do It Attract Countless Liberal Arts Students Every Year?

Let’s take a closer look!

National History Day (NHD) is a globally authoritative academic event in the humanities and social sciences for middle and high school students. Founded in 1974, it attracts over 600,000 students annually.

In the United States, NHD is fully recognized by numerous top-tier universities and holds significant academic value. Its academic team receives support from distinguished figures, including Harvard University professors, Princeton University emeritus professors, and Pulitzer Prize winners – laying a high-standard academic foundation for NHD.

According to data from the official website, students who participate in NHD not only gain an advantage in college admissions but also show a marked improvement in academic abilities. They outperform their peers who have not participated in the competition in national standardized tests across multiple subjects.

NHD offers a variety of competition formats that not only develop academic skills but also foster students’ work habits, ability to organize reports, communication skills, and research proposal development. The hands-on experience and personal capabilities demonstrated through these qualities are highly valued by U.S. college admissions officers.

During the competition, you can take on roles such as a writer, filmmaker, web designer, playwright, or artist to express your insights into history. While fully developing your abilities, you will also enjoy the unique charm of history – realizing that history is not just knowledge on paper, but something that truly influences and inspires our daily lives.

Competition Details

1. Eligibility

Participants must be students in Grades 6–12, divided into two divisions:

• Junior Division: Students in Grades 6–8
• Senior Division: Students in Grades 9–12

In some regions, students in Grades 4–5 sponsored by alliances are allowed to participate. For confirmation, please contact the local chapter coordinator.

2. Competition Categories

NHD competitions include 5 creative categories: Paper, Documentary, Exhibit, Performance, and Website. Except for the Paper category (which is individual-only), all other categories offer both individual and group participation options. Groups require 2–5 students; members do not need to be in the same grade, but all must be in Grade 6 or above.

Timeline for NHD China Region (Reference: 2023–24 Season)

NHD China Region opened registration on October 9, 2023, targeting students from international schools in mainland China. (Students from non-international schools must contact SKT Education to participate in the Hi World program.) Key timelines are as follows:

For more registration details, please visit the official website

The NHD China Region is undoubtedly a great opportunity for students looking to boost their competitiveness through a high-value liberal arts competition! If you have a strong interest in NHD and want to enhance your historical insight, don’t miss the registration for the new season!