Special Prizes

This award recognizes two projects that include research on the history and culture of African Americans. For more information, see the website of the MCAAHC. 

This prize, sponsored by the Yuan Foundation recognizes one project on the subject of Asian history or the history of the Asian diaspora. For inspiration, visit the South Asian American Digital Archive or the United Nations Archive.

This prize is awarded to an outstanding entry whose research and presentation relates to an individual, group, or organization that worked toward and succeeded in making differences in the civic life of their community, state, or nation.

MDCSS works to build a community of social studies educators in the state of Maryland, and through this network advance cultural understanding, respect for human differences, and an appreciation of diversity.

This prize awards projects that include research on computer safety, codes, code breaking, and related topics. For more information, check out the National Cryptologic Foundation and the National Cryptologic Museum near Fort George G. Meade.

George Washington played a pivotal role in every major event surrounding the founding of our nation in his roles as Commander in Chief, president at the Constitutional Convention, citizen farmer, and the President of the United States of America. His actions have been examples of civic responsibility, patriotism, and historic complexity over time and remain relevant in national dialogue today. 

This prize will be awarded to an outstanding project in either the junior or senior division that demonstrates a clear understanding of the ideas and events defined by Washington’s life, leadership, and legacy. In addition to outstanding historical interpretation, we award special consideration to projects that seek innovative and compelling ways to tell the story of George Washington so that his timeless and relevant life is accessible to the world.  Learn more about Washington’s life and legacy at Mount Vernon. 

This prize goes to two projects focusing on government history. For inspiration, check out the Thinkport Inquiry Kits on U.S. Government.

This prize is awarded to projects in which students have involved the identification and evaluation of historical and cultural resources as part of their research methodology or whose projects are designed to encourage the protection of historical and cultural resources. Projects should focus on resources such as historic buildings, artifacts or objects, historic districts, landscapes, and land and underwater archaeology sites.

Projects might include research on historic battlefields, industrial buildings like mills or canning and packing houses, archaeological evidence of Native American settlements, historic schools, or historic ships. Although a connection to Maryland cultural resources is desirable, it is not required. There are many possibilities for research on historic preservation through museums and historical societies. Students who wish to do research at the Maryland Historical Trust Library may contact Lara Westwood at lara.westwood@maryland.gov.

This prize is awarded to one project that focuses on the history of an indigenous people. Preference will be given to the history of indigenous North American groups and cultures. For inspiration, check out the Thinkport Inquiry Kits on Indigenous Maryland History and Mayis, an Indigenous records guide of the Maryland State Archives. 

This prize is awarded to projects on the history of labor, labor laws, political advocacy and organizing. For more inspiration, look at the NHD page with research questions and primary source bibliography from the Labor and Working-Class History Association or the National Archive’s primary sources on labor reform via DocsTeach. 

This prize is awarded to two projects that explore the history and culture of Latine Americans. For inspiration, check out the Voices of Maryland project by the Maryland State Archives. 

This prize is awarded to two projects that focus on legal history, constitutional history, or both. The Oyez website and the website of the National Archives in D.C. are two good sources for this project. If you want to do a local history project, ask your town hall or courthouse if they have archives you can access!

This prize is awarded to two projects that focus on areas of history related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (or questioning), and others. Priority will be given to projects that focus specifically on the arc of LGBTQ+ history, social movements, and the advancement of human rights. Explore the stories of local gay and lesbian rights activists through the Maryland Rainbow Oral History Project and University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s LGBTQ+ Oral History Project.

This prize goes to projects that focus on topics in Maryland History. For inspiration, you can always visit the Maryland Center for History and Culture’s website or check out Digital Maryland, a statewide project to preserve and share Maryland history.

This prize is awarded to projects involving any aspect of United States military history, including commemorative artworks, architecture, programs, events, etc., associated with military service. Explore monuments to Maryland’s military service on the Commission’s page, or explore Digital Maryland to learn more about military service through a variety of local history sources.

This award is presented to recognize exemplary student participants for high academic performance and technical skill in the creation of new oral history research or for the use of existing oral history resources in the completion of a Maryland History Day project. Students either conduct oral history interviews as a part of their research or use existing oral history interviews in the collections of libraries, archives, historical societies, and museums. Learn more about oral history in Maryland on the Martha Ross Center for Oral History website.

This award is for outstanding projects that address topics related to the history of science, technology, engineering and math. For more information, visit the National Cryptologic Foundation and the National Cryptologic Museum near Fort George G. Meade.

This prize is awarded in honor of Michael E. Patten. It goes to an outstanding project that makes significant use of primary sources. Explore the Maryland Archive’s Digital Resources to find primary sources for your History Day project.  For more information on the Patten prize, as well as past winners, please visit the Michael E. Patten Award website.

Sponsored by the White House Historical Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the Executive Mansion, prize is awarded to an outstanding project in both the Junior and Senior divisions that documents and analyzes White House history through such subjects as individual presidents, first ladies, residence staff, White House art and architecture, or important events that took place in the White House.

Consider lesser-known and even untold stories in White House history. Get started by reviewing the White House Historical Association’s suggested project starters and browsing through research they’ve started, including our Slavery in the President’s Neighborhood initiative.

This prize is awarded to two projects that focus on women’s history. For inspiration, check out the Women’s Heritage Center website.