Quick look: OCDE will launch the 2026-27 National History Day-Orange County season with a free virtual kickoff Sept. 10, giving new and returning coaches an introduction to the competition, this year’s “Innovation in History” theme and resources to guide students through the months ahead.
What do the printing press, the steam engine, the internet and countless other innovations have in common?
Each changed the world in some way, and this year, Orange County students will have an opportunity to investigate the people, ideas and breakthroughs behind transformative moments in history through National History Day.
To help educators prepare for the new competition season, the Orange County Department of Education will host its annual National History Day-Orange County kickoff virtually from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10.
Unlike previous years, this year’s kickoff is designed specifically for educators and will not include students. The first hour, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., will introduce new coaches and teachers to NHD-OC. The second hour will kick off the new season with a mandatory meeting for all coaches planning to compete, covering contest updates, registration, category rules, best practices and this year’s theme.
OCDE Coordinator Julie Hull said the team has already seen interest from new schools and is looking forward to seeing the program continue to expand across Orange County.
“The kickoff is always an exciting event that brings enthusiasm to the start of the season,” Hull said.
Innovation through a historical lens
The 2026-27 National History Day theme, “Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change,” invites students to look beyond inventions and explore how new ideas, technologies and ways of thinking have influenced societies and created change throughout history.
“I love that this theme opens the door to unexpected stories,” Hull said. “Innovation is one of those concepts that connects the past directly to the world students see around them today.”
National History Day projects begin at the school level, where students choose historical topics, conduct research and present their findings through categories including podcasts, exhibits, documentaries, performances and websites. Students whose projects advance can move through regional and affiliate competitions, receiving feedback and opportunities to revise their work along the way.
Ultimately, the top two entries in each category at affiliate contests are invited to the National History Day National Contest. Nearly 3,000 students from across the United States and overseas gather each year for the national competition, which will take place June 13 through June 17, 2027, at the University of Maryland, College Park.
“Every NHD-OC season reminds me of the incredible things students can accomplish when they are given the opportunity to pursue a topic they genuinely care about,” Hull said. “I’m excited to see what Orange County students discover this year and, perhaps even more importantly, what new questions they ask along the way.”
The Sept. 10 kickoff is free and open to coaches, teachers and administrators. A separate virtual NHD-OC How To event for students, families and coaches will follow on Sept. 24.
For questions about NHD-OC, contact Hull at jhull@ocde.us. Registration questions can be directed to Robin Silver at rsilver@ocde.us.