A TSHA program empowering grade 3–12 historians through original research and competition
What is Texas History Day?
Texas History Day (THD) is a statewide student research program of the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) and the Texas affiliate of National History Day. Students in grades 3–12 investigate a historical topic, develop a strong thesis, and present their work as a paper (individual), exhibit, documentary, performance, or website (individual or group). Each spring, top regional projects advance to the state contest in Austin; first- and second-place state winners qualify for the national contest.
Impact at a Glance
Each year tens of thousands of Texas students participate locally and regionally.
Roughly 1,200 advance to the THD state contest; dozens continue on to Nationals.
Texas has maintained a strong medal record at Nationals for many years—testament to the quality of work our students produce.
How it Works
Three divisions: Elementary (grades 3–5), Junior (grades 6–8), and Senior (grades 9–12)
Six categories: Paper (individual only), Exhibit, Documentary, Performance, Website, Poster (individual or group, elementary only)
Pathway: → School/Local → Regional → State* → National * Elementary level ends at state.
Judging: Projects are evaluated on historical argument, use of sources, relation to the annual NHD theme, and clarity of presentation.
Part of the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)
THD is one of several education programs powered by TSHA’s mission to foster the appreciation, understanding, and teaching of Texas history. Your membership and gifts directly support student research, teacher resources, and statewide contests.
Join TSHA → (Educator and Student membership options available)
Donate to TSHA Education → (Support scholarships, contests, and classroom tools)
Practice inquiry, analysis, and argumentation grounded in primary sources.
Build writing, speaking, and media skills through multiple presentation formats.
Connect local stories to broader state, national, and global histories.
Affiliations & Venues
Texas History Day is the official Texas affiliate of National History Day (NHD). The state contest is hosted in Austin with support from local partners and volunteers across Texas.
Get Involved
Students & Teachers → Explore guides, timelines, and category resources.
Judges & Volunteers → Lend your expertise; training provided.
Program Sponsors → Partner with TSHA to expand student access statewide.
Meet the Team
Kimberly Peña — Director of Education Services (2025)
A lifelong history enthusiast, Kimberly earned a B.A. in History (Cameron University) and an M.Ed. in Education Policy & Leadership (UT Arlington). She spent 15 years in public education as a secondary history teacher, instructional coach, and social studies coordinator before joining TSHA. Passionate about accessible and equitable social studies, she now leads TSHA’s education initiatives. She lives south of Austin with her husband and two sons and enjoys reading, sewing, and photography.
Danny Corbett — Texas History Day Coordinator
Danny joined TSHA in 2019 and has long supported THD in the Education Department. A former seventh-grade Texas History teacher and longtime Junior Historians advisor and Copperas Cove resident, he holds a B.A. from Indiana University and an M.Ed. from Tarleton State University. Danny received TSHA’s Mary Jon and J. P. Bryan Leadership in Education Award (2003).
Contact Us
Questions about THD, resources, or partnerships?
Email: thd@tshaonline.org
Phone: (512) 471-2600
Mailing Address: Texas History Day C/O Texas State Historical Association PO Box 5428 Austin, TX 78763
Physical Address: 3001 Lake Austin Blvd. Austin, TX 78703
FAQs
Looking for the basics? Here are quick answers to the questions we hear most about eligibility, categories, judging, deadlines, fees, accessibility, and more. For year-specific details, see Theme & Rules and Dates & Registration; if you don’t find what you need, email thd@tshaonline.org.
What is Texas History Day (THD)?
Texas History Day, a part of the National History Day program, is a yearlong education program that culminates in an annual state-level history competition for students in grades six through twelve. It provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their interest in, and knowledge of, history through creative and original papers, performances, documentaries, individual interpretive web sites, or three-dimensional exhibits.
Over the course of the school year, students research and produce a History Day entry, the results of which are presented at a regional competition in early spring. From there, some students advance to the state fair in May, or even to the national contest held each June at the University of Maryland at College Park. At each level of competition, outstanding achievement may be recognized through certificates, medals, trophies, or monetary awards. The most important rewards are the skills and insight that students acquire as they move through the History Day program.
As many as 50,000 young Texans are involved in the program at the regional and state level each year. More than 1,000 students participate in Texas History Day, and approximately 80 students represent Texas at National History Day each year.
How do students participate in the state-level THD contest?
THD participants have to qualify for the state-level THD competition through regional competitions.
What region am I in?
Please see our Regions & Coordinators section on our Dates & Registration page. Check back often for updates, because we post regional fair dates and locations as soon as we receive them.
Are private, parochial, or home-schooled students allowed to participate in THD?
Of course! All students participating in a regional fair must first have their work evaluated at the local level by a teacher using the National History Day criteria and rubrics. Home-schooled students are encouraged to work with their local association(s) or consortium to set up such evaluations or local fairs. If you have questions regarding this process, please contact the appropriate people on the Regions & Coordinators section of our Dates & Registration page.
How many student project categories are there?
Students may enter in one of the following categories: individual or group performance, individual or group exhibit, individual or group documentary, individual or group interpretive web site, individual paper, and individual or group poster (Elementary Division only).
How many students are allowed per group at THD?
A group is defined as two to five people. Each member of a group must participate in research and interpretation of the topic.
Can a student from one school participate in a group with students from another school?
This can be allowed. Students do not necessarily need to attend the same school in order to participate with a given group. It is best if they are within the same ISD or school district however. Please check with your teacher first.
How many age groups or divisions are there at THD?
There are two separate divisions at THD; these are the Junior and Senior divisions. The Junior division consists of students in grades 6 through 8, and the Senior division consists of students in grades 9 through 12. There is no competition between these two divisions.
How do you determine who advances to the National History Day (NHD) competition?
The top two finishers in each category — junior high school group performance, senior high school individual documentary, etc. — at Texas History Day advance to National History Day, just as the top two finishers in each category at the regional level advance to Texas History Day. Judges evaluate entries using two main criteria: historical quality (80%) and clarity of presentation (20%).
How is the NHD theme determined each year?
The theme is determined at the national level, so students all over the United States are addressing the same sorts of topics. Although students may select topics on any aspect of local, regional, or world history, the presentation of their research and conclusions must clearly relate to the annual theme. While teachers and parents can offer help and advice on the mechanical aspects of the project, the students are solely responsible for the research, design, and creation of entries. The TSHA has compiled a list of entries from the Handbook of Texas Online that relate to this year’s History Day theme.
