Please remember that National History Day is focused on students and therefore the safety and well-being of students, as well as respectful of the wishes of parents, teachers, school principals, and the many supporters who have a vested interest in the event. As guests at a History Day venue, you are expected to abide by the same rules those venues may have for their guests or students. To ensure a successful contest day, you are asked to observe the following rules:
- You may not physically harm, threaten to harm, or harass any person, including provoking and/or engaging in physical fights or malicious pranks
- Alcoholic beverages or other drugs are expressly prohibited except those prescribed by a doctor
- Possession of any weapons, firecrackers, or other flammable materials is prohibited
- You may not tamper with the fire system or fire safety equipment
- You may not set or fuel a fire of any size
We look forward to your professional conduct at the National History Day State Contest!
Download a copy of the NHD rule book here
The Omaha District History Day contest takes place at Metropolitan Community College's South Omaha Campus at 27th and Q Street
There is plenty to do at The Durham Museum on your contest date. See below for information about exhibits and activities, as well as lunch options.
Explore our Permanent Exhibitions: The Durham Museum provides countless opportunities to discover Omaha's history. After stepping back in time with the life-like sculptures and beautifully restored architecture of the Main Waiting Room, visitors can explore our extensive permanent galleries, which brilliantly capture the remarkable history of our region.
American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith: Inspired by the new permanent exhibition at the National Museum of American History, American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith, explores America’s bold experiment in a government “of, by, and for the people.” From the Smithsonian Institution, this exhibition is the centerpiece of a high-profile initiative on democracy and civics education. Featuring engaging multimedia experiences, immersive design, and artifacts from the Smithsonian and state historical organizations, American Democracy will demonstrate that democracy relies on our active participation in the quest to form a “more perfect union.” Exhibit sections explore the origins of our democracy, the changing identity of eligible voters, the machinery of democracy, the right to petition and protest beyond the ballot, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Visit the Soda Fountain: Step back in time and visit Union Station's original Soda Fountain! Enjoy an old fashioned phosphate made with your favorite flavoring and soda water straight from the fountain dispenser. Add some hand-scooped ice cream and it becomes a luscious ice cream soda. Delicious malts, milk shakes and sundaes are also favorites. The Soda Fountain also serves lunch! Stop by for a hearty all-beef hotdog or a freshly-prepared sandwich.
Omaha's Old Market: The Durham Museum is just blocks from Omaha's Old Market! Check out unique shops and delicious restauraunts in the heart of downtown.
Junior Individual Documentary
Junior Individual Exhibit
Junior Individual Performance
Junior Individual Website
Senior Individual Documentary
Senior Individual Exhibit
Senior Individual Performance
Senior Individual Website
Each category maintains its own particular points of evaluation; however, all categories are evaluated on the same general basis: 60% is based on the project’s historical quality, 20% is based on the project’s relation to the theme, and 20% is based on the clarity of the project’s presentation. Rules compliance and clarity of presentation will vary from category to category according to the particular demands of the type of presentation. Historical quality and relation to theme undergo the same evaluation in all categories.
Examples of evaluation variations:
- Exhibits, documentaries, and websites are expected to be visually impactful, but historical papers are expected to be neat and performances are expected to look historically accurate.
- Exhibits can be no larger 40” x 30” x 72” or 30” in diameter and have no more than 500 words, historical papers can be no longer than 2500 words, websites can have no more than 1200 words and be no larger than 100 MB, and documentaries and performances can be no longer than 10 minutes.
Examples of evaluation congruities:
- Word count must be included on title page of historical and process papers.
- All written material must be original, clear, appropriate, organized, and articulate.
- All entries must be historically accurate, show analysis and interpretation, place the topic in historical context, show wide research, use available primary sources, have balanced research, clearly relate to the topic to the theme, and demonstrate the significance of the topic in history and draw conclusions.
Examples of judge evaluation sheets for each category are available at https://www.nebraskanhd.org/abouthistoryday .
The judges are selected based on historical and/or educational knowledge, interest in youth, and the desire to promote interaction with history. Judge experience can vary widely within a team; however careful consideration is given to balance experience in judging as well as historical knowledge. A judge orientation is held before every contest to assure consistency across categories and informed individuals.