ARCATA (March 2026) – The annual Humboldt County History Day took place at Cal Poly Humboldt on Saturday, February 28. This year’s national theme was “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History” to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
History Day is open to students in 4th – 12th grades. Students can participate individually or in groups. Students in grades 4 and 5 use posters to interpret the theme. Those in grades 6-12 choose from one of six categories: Documentaries, Exhibits, Historical papers, Performances, Podcasts, and Websites.
“History is rarely a single event,” said Humboldt County Superintendent of Schools Michael Davies-Hughes. “It is a chain of actions and responses; one decision leading to another. What stands out to me about the students’ work is that they didn’t just describe events. They asked deeper questions: What sparked the change? Who resisted? Who benefited? What were the consequences? That level of analysis matters. Because the world our students are growing up in is shaped by the same forces – big ideas, strong reactions, and ongoing efforts to improve systems and institutions.”
History Day is a collaborative effort of teachers, coordinators, volunteers, judges, and Cal Poly Humboldt.
“For the past four years, I have had the pleasure of co-coordinating Humboldt County History Day, working directly with dedicated educators and students,” said Agustín Amaro, History Day Coordinator for the Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE). “As David McCullough reminds us, ‘History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.’ I am reminded that when students explore the past with curiosity and courage, they discover more than just dates and names; they uncover their own ability to question, create, and understand the world. The remarkable effort our teachers and students put into these projects shows that history is not merely something we study; it is something we create, one thoughtful inquiry at a time.”
Nearly 300 students participated in History Day, with 57 Champions receiving medals. Seventy-five volunteers helped the day run smoothly.
The Humboldt County History Day community partners presented additional awards for outstanding projects related to special topics:
- The Jim Bush Legacy Fund, Clarke Museum, and Humboldt Historical Society recognized students who researched local history. The League of Women Voters of Humboldt County recognized students whose projects focus on the achievements of women and voting rights in history.
- The Cal Poly Humboldt History Department presented the Delores McBroome Award to the student who composed the most outstanding historical paper on American History.
- Crane, Dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, presented the Dean’s Award for an outstanding project. The History Club at Cal Poly Humboldt presented an award for outstanding use of primary sources.
HCOE will award travel scholarships to outstanding projects determined by experts at post-county Coaching Sessions. Thanks to the League of Women Voters of Humboldt County and Coast Central Credit Union for helping to support these travel scholarships.
For more information, please visit https://hcoe.org/history-day/ or contact HCOE Coordinator Agustín Amaro at aamaro@hcoe.org or 707-445-7000.