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North Central Indiana Students Advance to 2026 National History Day in Indiana State Contest
The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) announced that students from across north-central Indiana are advancing to the 2026 National History Day in Indiana (NHDI) State Contest after a successful regional competition held Saturday, March 14.
The North Central regional contest, hosted at Carmel High School, brought together nearly 200 students from Delaware, Hamilton, Lake, Madison, and Marion counties. After presenting projects representing months of in-depth research and preparation, top finalists earned the opportunity to compete at the 2026 NHDI State Contest on April 18, 2026 at Marian University.
National History Day in Indiana is a yearlong academic program designed to strengthen history education for students in grades four through 12. Each year, participants select a historical topic connected to an annual theme and conduct extensive primary and secondary source research. The 2025–2026 theme, “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History,” challenges students to explore how individuals, communities and governments have balanced freedoms and civic duties throughout history.
Students present their findings in one of five categories: documentary, exhibit, paper, performance or website. Advancement to the state contest requires qualification through one of seven regional competitions held across Indiana.
“National History Day gives students the opportunity to dive deeply into history and discover how the past continues to shape the world around them,” said Jody Blankenship, IHS CEO. “The level of research, creativity and thoughtful analysis displayed is remarkable. We are proud to see these students contribute to the ongoing story of how we understand our past.”
Through its project-based, inquiry-driven model, NHDI gives students ownership of their learning by guiding them to develop research questions, analyze evidence and present conclusions in creative and compelling ways. From classroom projects to regional and state competitions, the program builds critical thinking, analytical and presentation skills while fostering meaningful collaboration between students and educators.
For more information about National History Day in Indiana, visit www.indianahistory.org/historyday or call (317) 232-1882.
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About the Indiana Historical Society (IHS)
The Indiana Historical Society collects and preserves Indiana’s unique stories; brings Hoosiers together in remembering and sharing the past; and inspires a future grounded in our state’s uniting values and principles. IHS is a Smithsonian Affiliate.
