Question

In 2025, four middle school students from Iowa stepped onto a stage before a panel of judges. They began to sing. The students were performing a song called "Old Enough to Vote." It was one they had written about the 26th Amendment. This change to the Constitution lowered the voting age in the United States from 21 to 18.

The students' performance was part of the National History Day® (NHD) competition. And it earned the group a gold medal in the contest.

A Bit of History

The NHD history contest is held each year. More than half a million middle and high school students take part. The contest is modeled after science fairs. Students research important events in history. Then they bring the topics to life. Some students write papers or create exhibits. Other students make films or build websites. Still other students put on live performances. Judges determine which projects receive awards. However, NHD is about more than winning a prize.

Kelly Figueroa is a social studies teacher in Illinois. She has coached students through many years of NHD contests. Her students have created projects on a variety of historic events. These have ranged from an important court case from the 1850s to the 1960 U-2 spy plane incident. She told Achieve3000 Literacy that when students explore a topic they are genuinely interested in, they "develop critical thinking, research, and public speaking skills."

Tough Lessons

Leia Moore, 14, has participated in NHD twice. Her first project told the story of a group of young women known as the "Radium Girls." In the early 1900s, they worked with a dangerous substance called radium. It made them very sick. So, the women spoke out about what had happened to them. They fought for worker safety.

NHD leader Cathy Gorn knows that there are hard truths in history. Yet she doesn't think this hurts students. In an interview with The New York Times, she argued that examining the tough stuff likely makes students feel more patriotic. "It makes them understand that people can work hard, and work together, to change things for the better."

Moore was inspired by the courage of the "Radium Girls." Their health was worsening. Yet they stood up to government leaders and factory owners to help others. Moore noted that there are still places where people labor in dangerous conditions. But she hopes projects like hers will help change that.

The Future Is Not Yet Written

One of the main principles of NHD is that history is not about the past. Instead, it informs the present and shapes the future. For example, one recent NHD participant did a project on an influential environmental book from the 1960s. She used its ideas to think about the future of her family's farm.

Many students credit NHD with helping prepare them for their future. NHD teaches students to think and reason. It also teaches teamwork and leadership. But Figueroa suggested that NHD equips students for the future in another way, too. It helps them become good citizens. This, she said, "is vital for a healthy democracy."

Think about and discuss these questions:
Based on what you read, what are some reasons students might want to take part in this competition?
What event or topic from history would you want to learn more about, and why?
After Reading
Now that you have read the article, indicate whether you agree or disagree with this statement.


History shows that people can work together to make things better.


Agree
Disagree


Explain why you voted the way you did. Then read and respond to what others have to say.

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4 comments

L.O.

4 hours ago

History shows that people can work to make things better.



A.G.

7 hours ago

I agree because many events in history prove that when people work together they can fix problems and make a positive change.



C.M.

7 hours ago

History is full of examples where people worked together to solve problems and make life better for others. Think about how we have better medicine now than in the past, or how laws have been changed to treat people more fairly. These things didn't just happen; people had to work hard to make them happen.



M.M.

a day ago

I agree because the Radium Girls and the 26th Amendment prove that brave people can unite to change unfair laws and make the world much safer.

Answer 1

Here are clear, ready responses you can use for the discussion prompts.

Reasons students might take part in National History Day
- To explore a topic they care about and make learning meaningful.
- To build research, critical thinking, writing, and public‑speaking skills.
- To practice teamwork, leadership, and project design (films, exhibits, performances).
- To prepare for future school or career opportunities and strengthen college resumes.
- To learn how history connects to today and to become a more informed, active citizen.
- For the challenge, recognition, and chance to share work with judges and peers.

A historical topic I’d want to learn more about (example)
I’d research the 1918 influenza pandemic and local responses to it. It’s relevant because it helps us understand public‑health decisions, the impact of misinformation, and how communities coped under stress. There are lots of primary sources (newspapers, letters, government orders), and the topic connects directly to issues we still face, making it possible to draw lessons for today.

After reading — Do I agree that “History shows that people can work together to make things better”?
Agree. History offers many examples—like the Radium Girls winning safer workplace rules, the passage of the 26th Amendment expanding voting rights, labor reforms, and civil‑rights victories—where collective action, advocacy, and legal change improved lives. At the same time, change is often slow, contested, and incomplete; not every effort succeeds. Still, studying these examples shows that organized people can push institutions to change and that persistence and cooperation matter.

Ready-to-post comment (under 1000 characters)
I agree. The Radium Girls and the fight for a lower voting age show how ordinary people can force big changes when they organize, speak out, and use the legal and political systems. History also gives us examples of setbacks and long fights, which is important to remember—progress isn’t automatic. Learning these stories helps us see that teamwork and sustained action can make real improvements, and it encourages us to try to make things better today.