Resources for Florida History Day 2027

Florida History Day is an annual statewide activity sponsored by the Museum of Florida History. A Florida History Day entry can address any person, event or idea from any time or place in history, but it must relate to the annual National History Day theme, Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change.

The annual theme helps students direct their research. This year, NHD described the theme as an examination of "how innovative ideas, devices, or methods have had short- and long-term consequences, changing the course of human society." Topics related to science and technology have the clearest relationship to the annual theme, but students are encouraged to think about innovative political or social changes too. Innovation is about creativity and can include anything from new discoveries in medicine to new forms of art and music.

The key is to address both parts of the theme: "innovation" and "in history." Innovation involves change, but not all changes are innovations. Students must ask what is so different about their chosen topic that makes it an innovation. It's okay if something similar existed before their chosen innovation, but something about it has to stand out from what came before in order for it to truly be called innovative. Students should also ask how or why their innovation is significant in history. This means setting up the historical context of the topic and exploring its legacy.

Students are encouraged to read the 2027 Contest Theme Book (PDF) to learn more about the annual theme.