The Annual Theme
Types of Projects
• Historical Exhibit• Historical Documentary • Historical Performance (may be a group)• Historical Paper• Historical Web Site
The Annual Theme
• Annual theme applies to everyone• Topics must connect to annual theme• Think about it: How does the theme connect to the
argument that you are making about your topic?
Revolution
• Define: Revolution• Revolution: Overthrow
of one government and replacement with another. Dramatic and wide-reaching change.
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Reaction
• Define: Reaction
• Reaction: Response. Reactions can be words, actions, or changes in a way of thinking. W
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3253
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Reform
• Define: Reform
• Reform: To change. • Remember: Not all
reforms were positive for everyone involved. The impact of a reform may change over time.
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Revolution, Reaction, Reform
• The ideas of revolution, reaction, and reform work together
• Look for connections to all three aspects of the theme in your topic
• All three theme words do not need to be equally addressed in your project
In History
• You need to look at the significance of your topic over time
• Topics should not be current events
• In general, try to base topics on events that took place at least 20 years ago
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Selecting a Topic
One of the most important decisions you’ll make for National History Day!
HUGE Variety of Possible Topics
• Brainstorm! Don’t stop with just your first idea. • Revolution, reaction, and reform can be found
in all areas of history• Think about the relationship between the topic
and the events that came before and after it:– Why did it happen?– What impact did it have?
Sample Topics
• These topics are not the only ones out there– Just a few ideas from many areas of history
• Where can you find more ideas?– Think about your interests– Talk to your teacher, parents, classmates– Look through your textbook– Visit the library or a museum
Narrowing Topics
Take a big idea and narrow it to a manageable size for National History Day
Science and Technology
Cyrus McCormick Revolutionizes
Agriculture
Polio, the Vaccine, and the March of
Dimes
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: 2
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3
Social IssuesW
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43
7
Ada Deer and Menominee Tribal
Restoration
Child Labor during the Industrial Revolution
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Communication
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The Political Cartoons of Thomas Nast
Education
The Little Rock Nine and School Desegregation
6
Arts, Literature & MusicW
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41
27
0
Les Paul and the Electric Guitar
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: 3
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5W
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D:
19
21 Frank Lloyd
Wright and Organic
Architecture
Labor MovementW
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20
38
The Milk Strikes and the Great Depression
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and Workers’ Safety
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EnvironmentW
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3
Gaylord Nelson and Earth Day
NO
AA
Rachel Carson and Silent
Spring
Famous People
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: 2
36
64
Abraham Lincoln and the
Emancipation Proclamation
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: 4
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20
Joseph McCarthy’s Campaign Against
Communism
Military History & WartimeW
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: 646
27
Manitowoc Submarines and
World War II
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of C
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-246
54
Japanese American Internment During
World War II
Agriculture
Stephen Babcock and the Butterfat Tester
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: W
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Pat
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for
Cot
ton
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: N
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Eli Whitney's Cotton Gin
Politics and Government
Fighting Bob’s Progressive
Reforms
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587
The Boston Tea Party
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of C
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4-15
82
Social Issues
Alice Paul and the Women’s Suffrage Movement
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0
TransportationW
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: 254
4
Henry Ford and the Assembly Line
Harley-DavidsonMotorcycles
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of C
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59
Women in History
The Nation’s First Settlement House: Hull House in Chicago
Pop CultureW
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59
The Green Bay Packers
Elvis PresleyLi
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6-20
67