National History Day Guide

Resources for Students & Teachers Participating in National History Day

National Historic Trails are full of topics waiting to be researched! From the Pony Express to the forced removal of American Indian tribes from their homelands, National Historic Trails tell stories of communication, movement, conflict, perseverance, and change.

This guide provides a starting point for researching trails and trail sites. You will find information about place-based research, examples of potential research projects, and suggested sources for research.

Place-Based Research

Discover the National Historic Trails

Project Ideas: Communication & National Historic Trails

• Old Spanish Trail

• Santa Fe Trail

• El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

What is National History Day?

National History Day is a nonprofit organization that encourages middle and high school students to engage in primary historical research projects through year-long academic programs and contests. Over 500,000 students participate in the National History Day Contest each year, which invites historical research projects in the form of research papers, performances, documentaries, exhibits, and websites. Visit the National History Day for more information.