NHD Annual Theme

Each year, National History Day selects an annual theme. The broad themes encourage students to research a wide variety of topics. Students should use the theme to frame their analysis and show why a topic is significant in history.

The 2021 theme is "Communication in History: The Key to Understanding." Projects can be about Vermont history, US history or world history - but all projects must relate to the theme.

Communication can relate to how people exchange words, thoughts and ideas. Protests, laws, and diplomacy can all be examples of communication. Projects about communication in history might involve inventions or changes in technology.  Projects can also explore failures in communication. Follow the links below for resources and topic ideas related to Communication in History: The Key to Understanding.

• NHD Theme Video
• NHD Theme Sheet (pdf)
• NHD Theme Booklet (pdf)
• NHD Theme Webpage
• Communication in VERMONT History (pdf)
• sample Vermont topic with links to primary and secondary sources

If you have any more questions, contact Victoria at (802) 828-1413 or email victoria.hughes@vermonthistory.org