The American History Essay Contest was established to encourage young people to think creatively about our nation's great history and learn about history in a new light.

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Each year, a topic is selected and the contest instructions are published.  This information is then forwarded by DAR chapters.

 

The American History Essay Contest is open to all students in grades five through eight, who attend public, private, parochial schools, or are in registered home-study programs.  Submitted essays are judged for historical accuracy, adherence to the topic, organization of materials, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and neatness.

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The Caroline Scott Harrison Chapter, NSDAR, then sends one winning essay from each grade level for judging on the state level.  Each state selects one winning essay from each of the four grades to be judged on a divisional level.  From there, the winning essay from each grade level will then be judged at the national level, with the winners being announced.

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Each participant receives a certificate of participation from the chapter.  Chapter winners receive certificates and bronze medals.  State winners receive certificates and silver medals and national winners receive special certificates, medals, and a monetary award.

For additional contest information or guidelines, please contact the our chapter American History Committee Chair by clicking here.