National History Day Pittsburgh 2025

Welcome to the event where the past comes to life and the future is inspired! National History Day Pittsburgh 2025 is a celebration of history, knowledge, and student creativity. Join us in the historic city of Pittsburgh as we explore the theme “Rights & Responsibilities 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 15 and Sunday, March 16, 2025.

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 12-13, 2025, at the University of Scranton. The top winners from the state competition then move on to the national competition in June.

2025 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].

nhd 2025 program

Important NHD Competition Dates

Registration Opens – Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 at 9 a.m.

Registration Deadline – Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at 9 p.m.

Online Submission Deadline – Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at 9 p.m.

Junior Division Competition – Saturday, March 15, 2025

Senior Division Competition – Sunday, March 16, 2025

Regional Fees

The entry fee for the regional competition is $14 per student and must be paid by Feb. 19, 2025. The History Center offers a reduced fee of $7 per student for Title I schools. A reminder each student is welcome to have two additional guests with them the day of at no additional cost.