National History Day It’s not just a day. It’s an experience!

CHOOSING A GREAT TOPIC Step by Step

Step 1: Figure out the Theme Both theme words do not need to be equally addressed in your project; but they both must be addressed, as well as the “in History” part. Leadership and Legacy in History

Leadership in History Benjamin Franklin, 1770, Library of Congress Steve Jobs, 2003, Definition: Position as a leader of a group, organization, etc.; the time when a person holds the position of leader; the power or ability to lead other people

Legacy in History What is a Legacy? Definition: Something that happened in the past or that comes from someone in the past; something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past Andrew Jackson, 1824, Library of congress Harriet Tubman, 1861 National Archives

“in History” What is “in History”? Criteria: Your project must be historical, not a current event Alfred Nobel, 1875, Library of Congress

Step 2: Where Can I Go For Help With My Topic? Middle School LMC The Library Lady is brilliant! Cool Books Cool Books Teachers Teachers Sample Topics List Sample Topics List Family/Friends/Neighbors Family/Friends/Neighbors News News

Step 3: Choosing an Outstanding Topic ☺Does my topic need to be about Leadership and Legacy? ☺Yes ☺ What if my group wants to do a topic I don’t really like? ☺Compromise or Get a New Group or Work as an individual ☺ How many sources will I need? ☺A LOT! Do a quick check before you select!

Step 3: Choosing an Outstanding Topic (cont.) ☺Should I choose a topic that is really old? NO!—try to stay within the last 200 years ☺Should I choose a topic that is really current? NO!—try to be before 2000 ☺Should my topic be general or specific? Specific – but you can start general

Step 3: Choosing an Outstanding Topic (cont.) Always keep in mind… What is new, unique, or different about your topic?What is new, unique, or different about your topic? How did it change life for people?How did it change life for people? What was happening at the time that made this person become a leader and leave a legacy?What was happening at the time that made this person become a leader and leave a legacy?

Step 4: Make Sure Your Topic Is Important To History! When and where did this particular leader emerge? Was there a need for this leader at the particular time? How did the leader impact change over time? What were those changes? What impact/effect did the leader have? What factors contributed to a continuing legacy? Regardless of the topic selected, you must do more than describe what happened.

Topics should not be of current eventsTopics should not be of current events Topics should not be of ancient events (more than 500 years ago)Topics should not be of ancient events (more than 500 years ago) In general, try to base topics on events that took place at least years agoIn general, try to base topics on events that took place at least years ago WHS Image ID: 41644

Science and Technology Cyrus McCormick Revolutionizes Agriculture Jonas Salk: Polio, the Vaccine, and the March of Dimes Wisconsin Historical Society, 1955 Wisconsin Historical Society, 1872

Social Issues _commons.htm John Commons: Workmen’s Compensation Bennett Law: Mandatory English in Schools Michael Bennett:

Arts, Literature & Music Les, Paul, 1961, Library of Congress Les Paul and the Electric Guitar WHS Image ID: 3855 Frank Lloyd Wright, 1912, Wisconsin Historical Society Frank Lloyd Wright and Organic Architecture

Environment Gaylord Nelson, 1972, Wisconsin Historical Society Gaylord Nelson and Earth Day John Muir: Creator of Yosemite National Park

Famous People Golda Meir, 1961, Library of Congress Golda Meir Joseph McCarthy, 1943, Wisconsin Historical Society Joseph McCarthy When you select your person remember that it is more than a biography. You will need to focus on something significant that became his/her legacy.

Military History & Wartime lay.pl?index=W Cadwallader C. Washburn Military great and politician /book.asp?book_id=370 Cordelia Harvey: “Civil War Angel”

Agriculture Stephen Babcock and the Butterfat Tester Stephen Babcock: WHS Image ID: 5585 Jeremiah I Case, Wisconsin Historical Society J.I. Case: Agricultural Inventions

Politics and Government Fighting Bob’s Progressive Reforms Robert M. LaFollette, 1925, Wisconsin State Historical Society William Rehnquist: rehnquist

Social Issues Vel Phillips and Civil Rights in Wisconsin Vel Phllips, 1968, History.com Alice Green Hixon: Founder of Local League of Women Voters bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=

Transportation William Harley, 1902, Library of Congress Henry Ford and the Assembly Line William Harley Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Henry Ford, 1933, Library of Congress

Women in History Kathryn Frederick Clarenbach: 1 st Chairwoman of NOW n-Clarenbach.htm Mildred Fish-Harnack, 1942, Library of Congress Mildred Fish- Harnack: Nazi Resistor

Pop Culture Mary Kay Ash Mary Kay Ash, 2001, Liberace: Musician and Entertainer Pop culture topics can be effective for NHD projects—but you have to treat these topics as historical research topics.

Other Great Topics to Consider Early Hmong in LaCrosse Tom Maulson: Spearfishing Mary Bradford: State’s 1 st female superintendent Andrew Carnegie: Small-Town Libraries Father Groppi: Selma of the North

Other Great Topics to Consider Bacon’s Rebellion The Euro Veteran’s Administration Peace Corp YMCA Union Pacific Railroad CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp)

Instead of…..do….. Football Teddy Roosevelt and football Pop Warner Carlisle Indian Boarding School Gridiron Guts Jim Thorpe