Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History

It's time to dive into history's many exciting subjects and identify your topic, whether it be Michigan-based, national, or global. 

For 2026, the theme of National History Day is Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History, in part to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A revolution means a big change—like starting a new government— while a reaction is how people respond to that change. A reform is a purposeful effort to improve something from the past.

From National History Day^®:

Students do not have to focus on all three aspects of the theme. However, if the topic involves all three, then students should be sure to include all three. 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 . . . 

After selecting a historical topic that relates to the annual theme, students conduct extensive research by using libraries, archives, museums, and oral history interviews. They analyze and interpret their findings, draw conclusions about their topics’ significance in history, and create final projects in one of five categories: paper, exhibit, documentary, website, or performance.

These projects can be entered into a series of competitions, from the local to the national level. Local competitions start at the school-level in February. Regional competitions take place within eleven districts in March. The state finals for Michigan History Day usually take place the last Saturday of April.