National History DayNational History DayTurning Points in History: People, Ideas, EventsAdapted by the Wisconsin Historical Society from 2012 National History Day Theme Sheet

What is History DayWhat is History DayNational History DayNational History Day 1National History Day 2

Turning PointsTurning PointsA point at which a decisive change

takes place.An idea, event, action, or person that

caused change.Can be purposeful or indirect.Can be social, cultural, political, or

economicCan be local, national or internationalCan create large scale change or small

IN HISTORYIN HISTORYLook at topics that took place in

the past, not current events. To create a good project, you need to look at the impact the topic had over time. In looking at current events, we don’t yet know the long-term impact. As a general rule of thumb, you should try to look for topics that took place at least 20 years ago.

Sample Topic: Rosa Parks and Sample Topic: Rosa Parks and the Civil Right Movementthe Civil Right Movement

Turning Point: When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the Montgomery bus in 1955, she set off a chain of events leading to the boycott of the Montgomery buses.

Change created: This led to a Supreme Court decision in 1956 declaring the segregation of the buses as Unconstitutional. This decision required all Montgomery buses to be integrated.

Looking further: If choosing this topic you could also explore how this event affected the entire Civil Rights Movement.

Narrowing the TopicNarrowing the TopicIn order to have a

clear thesis to your project, it is important to narrow your topic. You can start with the broadest of areas involving revolution, reaction, and reforms and narrow until you have a clear thesis.

Topic Selection: There are Topic Selection: There are thousands of topics to select thousands of topics to select from. Be sure to choose a topic from. Be sure to choose a topic that…that…1. Interests you2. Relates to the theme3. Has a narrowed focus

Let’s look at some topics…

Group WorkGroup WorkYou will be working with a group of 2-3 people.

How do I choose a group?

Advantages to working at a Advantages to working at a groupgroupYou can improve collaborative

skillsYou can make decisions togetherYou can share the work loadYou can draw on one another’s

strengths and talents

Disadvantages of working as Disadvantages of working as a groupa groupYou may have scheduling

difficultiesYou may have differences of

opinionYou may have differences in work

ethicsYou will have increased

communication demands