Excitement and expectation surrounded this year’s National History Day competition. The annual event is run by a nonprofit organization in College Park, Maryland. It encourages students in grades 4 through 12 to explore key people and events from the past. The theme of this year was “Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas”.
The program now has a global reach, with students from Central America, South Korea, and elsewhere participating. “We’re going to have around 2,800 students from around the world here to contend,” said Lynne O’Hara, director of the program.
The contest week in College Park and nearby Washington, D.C., extended beyond judging entries. It featured events, exhibits, and documentaries at the National Museum of American History, the Museum of African American History and Culture, and other venues.
Dr. Cathy Gorn, director of National History Day, said that she enjoyed seeing students research events of the past and share their creativity. “Teachers,” Gorn added, “have a significant impact on students’ critical thinking and research skills.”
Young participants also expressed their enthusiasm for the program. Students Jake Wilson and Bianca Yota from Illinois highlighted the Great Railroad Strike of 1877. They explored lesser-known aspects of the battle for labor rights, including the involvement of Chinese immigrants.
Lucy DiMarco, a student from Minneapolis, Minnesota, stressed the importance of shedding light on underrepresented stories. “Black women’s stories don’t get highlighted or talked about enough,” she said. “We wanted to bring one woman to light and talk about her.” Lucy and her classmate, Juliet Zylla, examined the complex legacy of Henrietta Lacks, who was born in 1920. Like countless Black Americans, Lacks was used for medical research without her knowledge or permission.
National History Day, which first took place in 1974, remains an important platform for students to explore history and share their discoveries with others. They gain a deeper understanding of the ways key events shape society, and they help preserve diverse historical stories.
8. What does the underlined word “contend” mean in paragraph 2?
A.Gather. | B.Respond. | C.Compete. | D.Train. |
9. What did the director of National History Day stress in her words?
A.Students’ passion for research. | B.The important role of teachers. |
C.The value of students’ creativity. | D.The significance of studying history. |
10. What did Jake Wilson and Bianca Yota focus on in their research?
A.Unfair treatment of black women. | B.The past life of American workers. |
C.Less well-known people in history. | D.The struggle of workers for labor rights. |
11. What is Lucy DiMarco’s study about?
A.An ignored black woman. | B.The rights of black women. |
C.A successful woman pioneer. | D.The stories of Americans. |