National History Day is an excellent program that encourages students to engage with history by using primary sources to craft arguments about the past. For middle school and high school students participating in National History Day in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Labor History Society annually offers cash prizes for the best projects in the seven regional events that are based on American labor history. Winning projects in the state contest are eligible for additional cash prizes. Click here to view a list of the winning projects from the 2024-2025 school year.
2025-26 School Year contest
Projects in the 2025-2026 school year will be based on the theme, “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.” Complete information on entering National History Day competitions is available on the Wisconsin Historical Society website, including the locations of the regional contests within the state and assistance in preparing projects.
WLHS has many excellent resources to help students prepare a National History Day project on topics in American labor history. Click here to read a short guide with suggestions on resources and how to begin your project.
Finally, other organizations and corporations offer prizes as well. Check them out here.