The Early Bird Gets the Worm

Welcome to the History Day in Connecticut blog! Do you have questions, concerns, or want some feedback? Feel free to contact us with questions or blog topics!

Have you found your topic yet?

The key to stress less success is starting early. History Day registration is right around the corner and we are hoping to see many of you who participated last year and welcome all of those who are new to History Day.

Well, the first step to delving into your projects is to pick a topic! This may seem like the easiest part, but sometimes it can be the hardest. The 2012 theme: Revolution, Reaction and Reform provides you with endless possibilities. Remember these themes are created to be broad enough for you to select local, state or world history topics! First, take apart the three words and define them to really understand what the topic is asking of you. Once that is done, here are some suggestions on ways to get started…

• Keep your ears open during classes—and this means in ALL subjects. If something sparks your interests…do some investigating on your own. Check out a book at your local library on the topic or go on the web with your parent’s permission!

• Visit museums around Connecticut on your school breaks. Library passes are available at most public libraries for free or discounted admission to a variety of Connecticut’s museums.

Museum: New England Air Museum  http://www.neam.org/  

Example Topic: The Airplane: Revolution in Warfare

• If you are travelling for the holidays, do a little research beforehand and explore anything that interests you in the area you will be visiting.

• Read the newspaper or check news sites online! Current events can be easily connected to the past. The new iPhone 4S just came out…Imagine how revolutionary the first television looked when it was introduced!

             Article: “New iPhone Conceals Sheer Magic”

Example Topic: Television: A Cultural Revolution       

• Check out what happened today in History for inspiration! http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history  

Most importantly, try to choose a topic that truly interests you—one that automatically creates a whirlpool of questions in your head. Why did this happen? Who was involved? How did it end? Good luck getting started!

Have any suggestions, comments, or questions for your fellow History Day competitors? Please post them below!

David, Pogue. “New iPhone Conceals Sheer Magic.” The New York Times 11 Oct. 2011. 18 Nov. 2011 <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/12/technology/personaltech/iphone-4s-conceals-sheer-magic-                pogue.html?_r=2&scp=2&sq=iphone%204s&st=cse >