Hundreds of Students from Across Minnesota to Compete at State History Day

For immediate release

Release dated: April 13, 2023 

Media contacts: Nick Jungheim, 651-259-3060, nick.jungheim@mnhs.org  
Sammi Jo Papas, 651-259-3439, samantha.papas@mnhs.org

Winners will represent Minnesota at National History Day Contest in Washington, DC

ST. PAUL, Minn. (April 13, 2023) –  Students from across Minnesota, from Bemidji to Winona, will present their research projects at the National History Day in Minnesota State Contest at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities on April 22.

In all, 803 students ranging from grades 6-12, representing 90 schools and 175 different teachers, will share their projects based on the theme “Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas.” They were chosen during 11 regional contests that took place throughout Minnesota during March. Over 16,000 students created a History Day project in 2023.

Students will present 478 projects at the state contest, which can be research papers, museum-style exhibit boards, documentaries, performances or websites. Topics include Mamie Phipps Clark, Gloria Steinem, Sesame Street, and many more.

A final presentation schedule will be available on the Minnesota History Day website the week of the event. Results will be posted online the evening of the event, and the award ceremony will be livestreamed on Facebook. Winners will be selected by volunteer judges and will be eligible to advance to the National History Day Competition in June, being held just outside of Washington, DC at the University of Maryland, College Park.

During the pre-awards ceremony at 5:00 pm, Ms. Alissa Bagley of Woodbury Middle School and Mr. Doug Hoverson of Saint Thomas Academy will be recognized. Ms. Bagley and Mr. Hoverson have been named as Minnesota’s nominees for the National History Day Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year award.

The National History Day in Minnesota State Contest is possible thanks to the help of 185 judges who have volunteered roughly 900 hours worth of time.

Media are welcome to attend the state competition to speak with students, teachers, and Minnesota Historical Society staff. Please contact Nick Jungheim prior to the event, and Sammi Jo Papas for day-of coverage.

For more information about Minnesota History Day, visit mnhs.org/historyday.

Quick Facts:   
Event: 2023 National History Day in Minnesota State Contest   
Date: Saturday, April 22, 2023   
Time: 8 am–4:15 pm. Award ceremony at 5:30 pm   
Place: Coffman Memorial Union, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 300 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

About National History Day in Minnesota   
National History Day in Minnesota is a co-curricular historical research program that builds college readiness and communication skills for middle and high school students. The program is a partnership of the Minnesota Historical Society and the University of Minnesota, College of Liberal Arts.

Program support is also provided by the Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on November 4, 2008.

About the Minnesota Historical Society   
The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves, and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs, and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories, and connects people with history.