On Saturday, April 25, 2026, students and teachers from across the state will participate in the Rhode Island History Day 2026 Contest. The contest will be held at the Community College of Rhode Island, Knight Campus, in Warwick, RI, and is coordinated by the Rhode Island Historical Society.
The public is invited to attend the exhibit showcase ar 1pm & the award ceremony, taking place at 2pm.
The 2026 contest theme is “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History,” with middle and high school students invited to contribute individual or group projects in one of five categories: documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, and website. During the contest, volunteer judges from K-12 schools, colleges, universities, museums, and history organizations evaluate student projects, focusing on historical argument and presentation.
First- and second-place winners in each category will advance to the National Contest, which will be held at the University of Maryland this June. In addition to students being selected in each project category, they’re also eligible for special awards and scholarships for projects that focus their research in particular areas. These awards are sponsored by Rhode Island agencies and organizations, with a complete list available here.
Teachers and homeschool families who would like to learn more about participating in Rhode Island History Day can contact the Rhode Island State Contest Coordinator by emailing rhodeisland@nhd.org.
The Rhode Island History Day Contest is presented by Amica Insurance and Brown 2026, with additional support from our Educational Anchors; Community College of Rhode Island, Bryant College, and Rhode Island College.
Our Event Sponsors
Amica Insurance
Brown 2026