A diverse group of students with medals and badges on a stage at the National History Day awards; red banner and podium behind them. *AI generated alt text

National History Day Pittsburgh 2026

Welcome to the event where the past comes to life and the future is inspired! National History Day Pittsburgh 2026 is a celebration of history, knowledge, and student creativity. Join us in the historic city of Pittsburgh as we explore the theme “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History“.

Hundreds of students throughout the region participate in National History Day Pittsburgh each year. The Heinz History Center is proud to be the regional home for this competition, which serves students from Allegheny, Washington, Greene, Fayette, Westmoreland, and Somerset counties.

This year’s competition will be held in-person at the Heinz History Center on Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22, 2026.

National History Day (NHD) draws upon a unique historical theme each year and encourages middle school and high school students to research history in an exciting and creative way. Students can enter one of five categories—paper, performance, documentary, exhibit, or website. Students may enter as individuals or in teams of 2-5 for all categories except paper, in which students must compete individually.

Students are split into a junior division (grades 6-8) and senior division (grades 9-12).

Each category is judged separately. First, second, and third place winners from both the junior and senior divisions move on to the state competition, which will be held on April 25-26, 2026, at the University of Scranton. The top winners from the state competition then move on to the national competition in June.

2026 NHD Competition Information

To participate in National History Day, teachers must register on zFairs. The zFairs platform will be used for registration, submission of student work, and judging. Teachers should register first, then students can create their accounts and register. Please email any questions to [email protected].

Important NHD Competition Dates

Registration Opens – Monday, January 12, 2026 at 9 a.m.

Registration Deadline – Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 9 p.m.

Online Submission Deadline – Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 9 p.m.

Junior Division Competition – Saturday, March 21, 2026

Senior Division Competition – Sunday, March 22, 2026

Regional Fees

The entry fee for the regional competition is $11 per student and must be paid by Feb. 25, 2026. A friendly reminder that each student is welcome to have two additional guests with them the day of the competition at no additional cost.

Photo Gallery

Three young women at a wooden table with laptops and water bottles, listening to another person, preparing for National History Day. *AI generated alt text

Students present their NHD exhibit to judges at the Heinz History Center.

An older man in glasses shakes hands with a younger man in a suit at a National History Day event; people and posters are visible. *AI generated alt text

Students present their NHD exhibit to judges at the Heinz History Center.

A woman gestures to a small barn model with an

Students present their NHD exhibit to judges at the Heinz History Center.

Person in vintage clothing and black hat seated at table with floral cloth, holding teacup; another hat on small table nearby. *AI generated alt text

Students present their NHD exhibit to judges at the Heinz History Center.

Five people, three in suits and two in casual dress, stand indoors discussing National History Day against a plain background. *AI generated alt text

Students present their NHD exhibit to judges at the Heinz History Center.

Three young men in suits sit at a table with laptops; one smiles at the camera while two others talk, in a conference room setting. *AI generated alt text

Students present their NHD exhibit to judges at the Heinz History Center.

Three young presenters in black stand before a table of seated judges at National History Day, as judges take notes and listen. *AI generated alt text

Students present their NHD exhibit to judges at the Heinz History Center.

Three women at an indoor event discussing a National History Day trifold board, with historical displays visible in the background. *AI generated alt text

Students present their NHD exhibit to judges at the Heinz History Center.

A person in glasses, black hat, and black clothes stands indoors with one hand on chest. A coat stand holds a nurse's hat and gray coat. *AI generated alt text

Students present their NHD exhibit to judges at the Heinz History Center.

A young woman presents her Title IX research poster to three adults by a brick wall at an indoor history event. *AI generated alt text
Three young women in black outfits sit on a carpeted floor by large windows, with bags and a green water bottle nearby. One has a green cast. *AI generated alt text

Students present their NHD exhibit to judges at the Heinz History Center.

A young woman presents her National History Day project to three adults in front of a display board and brick wall. *AI generated alt text

Students present their NHD exhibit to judges at the Heinz History Center.

A National History Day display titled Frontiers in History: How the Vikings Brought Christianity into Norway includes a model Viking helmet, a model Viking ship, a map, several black-and-white and color photographs, informational panels with text, and the Norwegian flag hanging in the background.

Students present their NHD exhibit to judges at the Heinz History Center.

A young boy wearing a suit stands next to his National History Day project display board, presenting to three adults who are standing and listening attentively in a brightly lit room inside a history museum.

Students present their NHD exhibit to judges at the Heinz History Center.

A young boy in a suit stands next to a large display board with text and images, presenting his National History Day project to three adults at an indoor exhibition. The room has wooden beams on the ceiling and various other displays are visible in the background.

Students present their NHD exhibit to judges at the Heinz History Center.

People gather around a display about American Sign Language (ASL) at a National History Day exhibition in a brick-walled room. Posters and project boards are visible in the background, with some attendees talking and others reviewing documents.

Students present their NHD exhibit to judges at the Heinz History Center.

CONTACTS

For more information about National History Day, please contact our Learning Team at [email protected].