Registration will be open in January
2026 NHD-OC Contest Information & Interview Schedule
Please click here for the interview schedule.
Click here to download 2025-26 NHD Calendar
The registration information and school spreadsheet has been emailed to all NHD-OC coaches in. If you did not receive a registration email, please request one by emailing nhdinfo@ocde.us. All registrations are facilitated through school coaches. Students and families should email NHD-OC at nhdinfo@ocde.usif they do not have a coach.
Registration is due before January 27, 2026 at 9:00 p.m. PDT. As a reminder, each school can enter up to two entries per category for NHD-OC. If your coach did not receive the registration spreadsheet, please email nhdinfo@ocde.us for instructions.
The registration fee is $60 per student. Contact your coach for payment information. The last day to drop from the contest without incurring the $60 registration fee is January 27, 2026.
Each student must complete the Waiver Form before January 27, 2026 at 9:00 p.m. to compete at NHD-OC.
For students who miss the waiver deadline, late waivers will be accepted until January 30, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. PDT. A $10 late fee applies to all late waivers - this is per student, not per entry. We cannot guarantee the t-shirt and button if the waiver is turned in late.
The 2026 NHD -OC Contest will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at the Orange County Department of Education, 200 Kalmus Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.
2026 Contest Theme: Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History
Each year, National History Day® frames students' research within a historical theme. The theme is chosen for broad application to world, national, or state history and its relevance to ancient history or to the more recent past.
To coincide with the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, NHD's 2026 theme is Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History. The distinctions among revolutions, reactions, and reforms are sometimes blurred. Revolutions and reforms are often reactions to ideas, actions, or events. In turn, revolutions and reforms inspire reactions. Think of it as a domino effect—knock one down, which knocks the next one down, which knocks . . .
The first question that comes to mind is, “Do students have to focus on all three words—revolution, reaction, reform?" No, students do not have to focus on all three aspects of the theme. It depends on the topic. If the topic involves all three, then students should be sure to include all three.
The following resources are available to start defining your topic and begin your research.
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Visit the Contest Rules page for additional guidance and information.
Written Materials and Project Submissions for NHD-OC
Exhibits & Performances
Written materials (as one pdf) are to be shared with nhdinfo@ocde.us by Monday, February 23, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. PDT. Revisions made to your written materials after submission should be highlighted and hard copies given to the judges during your interview at the contest on March 14, 2026. Please notify us via email nhdinfo@ocde.us when you have shared your written materials. Check your share setting: everyone with the link can view.
Documentary
See directions for documentary submission here. Documentaries and written materials (as one pdf) are to be shared with nhdinfo@ocde.us by Monday, February 23, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. PDT. No changes can be made after uploading your documentary. Revisions made to your written materials after submission should be highlighted and hard copies given to the judges during your interview at the contest on March 14, 2026. Please notify us via email nhdinfo@ocde.us when you have shared your documentary. Check your share setting: everyone with the link can view.
Podcasts
See directions for podcast submission here. Podcasts and written materials (as one pdf) are to be shared with nhdinfo@ocde.us by Monday, February 23, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. PDT. No changes can be made after uploading your podcast. Revisions made to your written materials after submission should be highlighted and hard copies given to the judges during your interview at the contest on March 14, 2026. Please notify us via email nhdinfo@ocde.us when you have shared your podcast. Check your share setting: everyone with the link can view.
Websites
Website Category Platform: NHDWebCentral
NHDWebCentral opened for 2025-2026 website creation in mid-September 2025. NHD will post an announcement on NHDWebCentral, the NHD website, and across the NHD social medial channels.
All of the guides, instructions, videos, playlists, and FAQs are located on the NHDWebCentral website. NHD-OC Coaches and Students should visit the website for additional information.
Websites will be locked on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. PDT. No changes can be made after the lockout. Once the student has published their website via Webcentral, the website has been submitted. No changes can be made after submission. Written materials should be linked on your website's homepage.
If you have questions regarding NHDWebCentral website, please refer to the NHD-CA Guide website or e-mail us at nhdinfo@ocde.us
Historical Papers (NHD-CA Category Only)
Registration and submission of historical papers will follow a new format than other NHD categories. Please see the NHD-CA website for more details. Historical papers will not compete at the county level, and will instead be submitted to the state contest by teachers. Refer to the NHD-CA website for due date.
For additional guidance and information on project submissions for all categories, please visit the
Contest Rules page.
Questions?
For more information about the NHD-OC contest, please e-mail us at nhdinfo@ocde.us
