National History Day in Iowa

07/17/2026

History is personal, and these Iowa students helped ensure the stories of local veterans are never forgotten. 🇺🇸📚 Through National History Day's Silent Heroes™: Untold Stories from the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II program, National History Day in Iowa students partnered with educators to research the lives, military service, and lasting legacies of Iowa veterans. Their work culminated in digital profiles and moving video eulogies that honor these heroes for future generations.

Learn more about these Iowa veterans by visiting the Iowa student-created project pages and video eulogies (below):

🎖️ Major Merton Peter "Mert" Hansen (Adel DeSoto Minburn Middle School, Adel, IA):
📖 https://nhdsilentheroes.org/profiles/merton-peter-mert-hansen/
🎥 https://youtu.be/HK0gwVxrwkA?si=mGQrKb_uGBz_2D0W

🎖️ Private First Class James William "Jim" McLeran (Adel DeSoto Minburn Middle School, Adel, IA):
📖 https://nhdsilentheroes.org/profiles/james-william-mcleran/
🎥 https://youtu.be/McJZ8mjgu38?si=5sbQ8U7UkFIezOBd

🎖️ Sergeant George Elias Addison (Johnston High School and Johnston Middle School, Johnston, IA):
📖 https://nhdsilentheroes.org/profiles/george-elias-addison/
🎥 https://youtu.be/OmAJlDJ9D6M?si=qXJ299KvkK3MGNIm

🎖️ Private First Class Raymond Norbert Dickes (Johnston High School and Johnston Middle School, Johnston, IA):
📖 https://nhdsilentheroes.org/profiles/raymond-norbert-dickes/
🎥 https://youtu.be/GBf7KMSKQFg?si=qVK5-XClTaB72tXp

🎖️ First Lieutenant Robert Daniel Gaskill (Johnston High School and Johnston Middle School, Johnston, IA):
📖 https://nhdsilentheroes.org/profiles/robert-daniel-gaskill/
🎥 https://youtu.be/KhvHdbQar1o?si=TSUMLWULSPqr-dTm

This incredible program is sponsored by National History Day and made possible through a grant from the Veterans Legacy Program at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/legacy/index.asp

🙏 Thank you to the Iowa educators and students who dedicated countless hours to researching and preserving these important stories. Your work ensures these veterans' legacies continue to inspire future generations.

💙 To honor these veterans in person, visit Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, IA.

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

07/10/2026

to a proud moment for Iowa! 🎉🍎 We're still celebrating an incredible honor from the 2026 National History Day National Contest!

Congratulations to Ann Jackson of B.R. Miller Middle School in Marshalltown, who was named one (of only TWO!) National History Day's 2026 Outstanding Teachers of the Year in the Junior Division (grades 6 to 8). 🏆

This prestigious national award recognizes educators who inspire students to think critically, conduct meaningful research, and discover the power of history. Ann's dedication to her students and to National History Day in Iowa embodies the very best of history education, and we're thrilled to see her recognized on the national stage.

Please join us in congratulating Ann on this well-deserved achievement and thanking all of the incredible Iowa teachers who help students bring history to life every year. 👏❤️📚

06/26/2026

to an unforgettable National History Day 2026! ✨📚 As we look back on an incredible season, we are so proud of all the hard work the students have put in this last year! Across Iowa, students dove deep into historical research, crafted powerful projects, and brought history to life in creative and meaningful ways.

💡📜 👏 Congratulations to every student who participated this year—from regional standouts to state qualifiers to those who advanced to the National Contest in College Park, Maryland! You’ve amazed us every step of the way.

Special recognition and congratulations to our:
🏅 National Medalists
🏆 Finalists
🎖️ Special Award Winners
📋 Honorable Mentions..and all of the passionate National Participants who represented Iowa with pride and excellence on the national stage!

We are especially grateful for teachers this year as one of our own was recognized as the National Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to Ann Jackson (B.R. Miller School, Marshalltown) and all the Iowa teachers! Thank you for your dedication to supporting and guiding Iowa students!🙌

📸 Swipe through for some highlight photos from the season, and don’t miss Iowa Delagation’s full results here: https://history.iowa.gov/learn/national-history-day/contests/national-contest

Until next year, keep making history!

05/06/2026

Thank you WHO 13 News News for shining a spotlight on the incredible student achievements at the 2026 National History Day in Iowa State Contest at ISU in Monday’s “Scholastic Spotlight”! 🎥✨ Check out the segment at the 3:58 mark where the two-minute NHD story begins. We love seeing these young historians get the recognition they deserve! 🤩 Congratulations to all!! (More State NHD highlights coming soon 👀)

Scholastic Spotlight: Summer & Style at Southeast Polk High

04/03/2026

We’re still in need of 25 volunteer judges for NHD State Contest at the end of the month! Help evaluate student work and create a positive, encouraging experience for more than 500 young historians sharing their passion projects.

Check out what it National History Day means to students, parents, and teachers in this video from State . Then sign up (link below), and share with others who want to make difference!

📅 Monday, April 27
📍 ISU, Ames, IA
✍️Sign up to judge: https://history.iowa.gov/learn/national-history-day/volunteers

(No experience is needed, and training is provided. Must be 18 or older to participate.)

State Historical Society of Iowa

03/24/2026

What a day at Regionals yesterday! 🎉 Our National History Day in Iowa students brought the energy, creativity, and serious historical thinking to campus at University of Northern Iowa yesterday—and absolutely rocked it.

A huge thank you to UNI History Department and the incredible team at Rod Library for hosting the Sullivan Brothers Regional and turning the space into a buzzing history headquarters for the day. From exhibits to performances, papers to documentaries and websites, these students showed just how powerful history can be when it’s in their hands.

We’re so proud of all the participants and can’t wait to see many of you at the State Contest in April! 🤩

State Historical Society of Iowa

03/12/2026

Thank you, We Are Iowa Local 5 News for helping us spread the word about National History Day! ✨

03/12/2026

Civic learning thrives when students step into history as investigators, storytellers, and critical thinkers. That’s exactly what National History Day inspires students to do across the country and right here in ! 📖 🇺🇸 Through research, analysis, and creative projects, History Day in Iowa helps young people explore the past while building the skills they need to participate thoughtfully in civic life today. 🔍 By digging into primary sources to presenting their findings, students learn how history connects to the rights, responsibilities, and decisions that shape our democracy.

💡 During Civic Learning Week, take time to explore and celebrate how it all works: visit a local historic site or museum, attend a community meeting, or support programs like National History Day.

Learning about the past helps us better understand our role as citizens today. 🗳️📚 Dig into the importance of civic learning this week and the role history education plays in preparing the next generation of informed citizens. 🗳️📚

03/12/2026

We're still in need of judges for our upcoming National History Day in Iowa competitions. 👀 If you'd like to give back to some amazing students in a fun, engaging, and enriching way, visit our website to learn more + sign up for a competition in your area—training provided!!
Learn more about NHD: https://history.iowa.gov/learn/national-history-day
Sign up as a volunteer judge: https://history.iowa.gov/.../national-history-day/volunteers
Questions? Email [email protected] and our education team will be happy to chat!

📢 Calling all volunteers! Step into the story and help write the next chapter of Iowa history. 💫 Volunteer as a judge for National History Day regional contests in Calmar, Cedar Falls, or Pella and support students as they share their original research and creative projects.

No experience? No problem. We provide training—all you need is curiosity and a little time to give. 📚✨ Learn more + sign up at history.Iowa.gov/learn/national-history-day

02/25/2026

📢 Calling all volunteers! Step into the story and help write the next chapter of Iowa history. 💫 Volunteer as a judge for National History Day regional contests in Calmar, Cedar Falls, or Pella and support students as they share their original research and creative projects.

No experience? No problem. We provide training—all you need is curiosity and a little time to give. 📚✨ Learn more + sign up at history.Iowa.gov/learn/national-history-day