Sacramento County History Day
As part of NHD-CA, Sacramento County History Day (SCHD) makes history come alive for students by engaging them in discovering the historical, cultural and social significance of the past. NHD engages Students through authentic historical inquiry on a topic of their choice. Their research, analysis, and interpretations are brought together to become their final projects which are displayed at school showcases.
Student projects can be entered at the county level and winners at Sac History Day advance to the state History Day competition.
Read below to learn more about history day in Sacramento.
Click below to learn more about starting a project.
Contact us:
[email protected]
NHD Virtual Kickoff
Bring history to life through inquiry and project-based learning! Discover how National History Day gives students voice and choice while building research, critical thinking, and communication skills.
Date: Thursday, September 17th 2026
NEW TO NHD-SAC TIME: 3:45 - 4:15 PM
Join us for an introduction to NHD-SAC to learn about the ins and outs of starting NHD with your students – theme, types of projects, topics, registration, and project resources.
RETURNING COACHES TIME: 4:15 - 5:15 PM
Hear from experienced NHD coaches as they share how they make NHD work in their classrooms. Coaches will share their calendars and timelines, parent information, project due dates and checkpoints, strategies for collecting and reviewing student work, and the tools and resources they use to keep students on track. Come away with practical ideas, tips, and resources you can adapt for your own NHD program.
Intent to Participate
Sign your school up to receive information and registration materials for the 2027 competition.
Theme Webinar
Discover how innovation changed history. Join this interactive workshop to explore the 2027 Naitonal History Day theme, Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change. Learn how to choose a compelling topic, develop strong research questions, locate primary and secondary sources, and create a successful national History Day project. Students, teachers, parents, and coaches are welcome.
VIRTUAL
Date: Monday, September 14, 2026
Time: 7:00 - 8:00 pm
2027 Sacramento County Competition
General Information
The 2027 Sacramento History Day Competition will take place at Sac State on Saturday, March 6, 2027.
Sample Contest Schedule (opens in new tab)
Note: Students must be accompanied by a parent or teacher chaperone at all times while on campus.
2026-27 Key Dates
---- 2026 --------------------------------------------------
Theme Webinar – Monday, September 14th 7:00 PM
Coach Kickoff – Thursday, September 17th
---- 2027 --------------------------------------------------
Registration Opens – Wednesday, January 13th
Registration Closes – Thursday, February 11th
Website Projects Due - Thursday, February 18th
Optional Special Award Project links due – Thursday, February 18th
(For students who want to be considered for a special award)
SACRAMENTO HISTORY DAY COMPETITION - Saturday, March 6th
Sac State
NHD-CA State Contest - May 7-9
Sac State
National Contest - June 13-17
College Park, MD
Special Award Categories
Students may submit projects to be considered for special award prizes. These special awards are not related to the overall contest winners. The following are some of the Special Award categories that MAY be offered in 2026.
- Bill George Local History Day Award
- Chinese History Award
- U.S. Military Conflicts Award
- East Lawn History Award*
- Women's History Award
- Lawson Environmental Award
- Regional History Award
- Board of Supervisors Award**
- Sacramento Area History Award
- Sacramento History Award
- Black History Award
- Medical History Award
- World War 1 Award
*Project based on a burial at East Lawn, or cemetery based.
**Projects related to government.
Volunteer Judge Information
The Sacramento County History Day will take place in March 2027. Students will submit exhibits, posters, documentaries, websites, podcasts and performances. Judges are needed to score projects, conduct student interviews, and provide feedback.
When: Saturday, March 6, 2027
Times: 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Sac State
Sign Up to Judge
Judge sign ups will open later this fall.