National History Day 2019: Triumph & Tragedy Resource Guide
This year’s National History Day theme is Triumph & Tragedy. Below are sample topics pulled from our website’s exhibitions and publications, historical highlights, records, oral histories, collection objects, people search, and blogs. Happy researching!
Featured Topics
Civil War and Reconstruction
ExhibitHistorical Highlights- The Secession of South Carolina
- The Joint Committee on Reconstruction
- The Wade–Davis Reconstruction Bill
- A.M.E. Church Memorial
- Memorial of Clara Barton
- Reconstruction Acts Petition
- West Virginia Statehood
- Wade-Davis Bill
- Convalescent Soldiers Passing Through Washington to Join Their Regiments
- Eminent Upholders in Congress of the War for the Union
- Great War Meeting
- Letter from a Civil War Soldier
- The Last Delegation from South Carolina in the Congress of the United States
- Gurre D’Amerique
House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)
Historical HighlightRecords- Alger Hiss Subpoena
- HUAC Minutes on May Day Parade
- Letter to HUAC Chairman
- March on Washington Pamphlet
- Communism in Hollywood
- Report on Ronald Reagan
- Special Committee to Investigate Un-American Activities
- Testimony Before the House Un-American Activities Committee
- Congressman Martin Dies Goes to Hollywood
Japanese Internment
ExhibitRecordBlog
National Parks and Conservation
Historical HighlightsRecords- Alaska Lands Bills Whip Advisory
- John Muir Yosemite Letter
- Letter for the National Park Service
- Letter Regarding Mount Baker
- Saarinen’s Tour of Gateway Arch
Philippines and American Imperialism
ExhibitPeopleSeptember 11, 2001
Historical Highlights- Singing of “God Bless America” on September 11, 2001
- The House of Representatives Responds to the September 11th Attacks
- President George W. Bush Addressed a Joint Session of Congress on the Subject of the War on Terrorism
- The National Guard Assists the U.S. Capitol Police
- The Committee on Homeland Security
- Special Session at Federal Hall in New York City
- “Due to the Circumstances of Today”: The U.S. House of Representatives Remembers September 11, 2001
- September 11th Commemorative Ribbon
- Federal Hall Joint Meeting Lapel Pin
- House of Representatives Flag
- September 11th Commemorative Ribbon
- Thank You Capitol Police Lapel Pin
- Unique Circumstances: A Look at the House Journal on September 11, 2001
- Taking the Steps: Unity and Recovery After 9/11
- September 12, 2001: “We All Went Back to Work”
Space Program and Exploration
Historical Highlights- First Major NASA Appropriation
- Memorial of the Challenger
- Apollo 11 Crew Members Appear Before a Joint Meeting of Congress
- Committee on Science and Astronautics
- John F. Kennedy’s Message to Congress
- NASA Appropriations Bill
- National Defense Education Act
- Ranger VII’s Photographic Flight
Collection Objects
- Astronaut John Glenn Addresses a Joint Meeting of Congress
- Gemini 5 Astronauts Address Congress
- Gus Hawkins and an Astronaut Suit
Voting Rights Act of 1965
ExhibitHistorical Highlights- An Extraordinary Joint Session of Congress to Support to Voting Rights Bill
- Majority Whip Hale Boggs’ Support of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
- The Voting Rights Act of 1965
Oral Histories
- Documentary: Selma and the Voting Rights Act of 1965
- Civil Rights: Selma
- Civil Rights: 1965 Voting Rights Act
- Cokie Roberts
Blogs
War of 1812
Historical HighlightsBlogVeterans of the War of 1812
- President James Buchanan
- Former Delegate, Member, Senator, and President William Henry Harrison
- Harrison’s former private secretary and brigade major, Elisha Whittlesey
- Marylander wounded at the Battle of Bladensburg, William Pinkney
- Son of a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Caesar A. Rodney
Watergate and Nixon Impeachment Inquiry
Historical HighlightRecordOral HistoriesCollection Object
Women’s Suffrage
ExhibitsRecordBlogs
Featured People
Henry Flipper (non-Member)
ExhibitRecordBlog
Representative Dalip Singh (Judge) Saund of California
ProfileExhibitCollection Object
- "What America Means to Me"
- Dalip Singh Saund (portrait)
- Dalip Singh Saund Calling Card
- Dalip Singh Saund Campaign Ribbon
Sarah Winnemucca (non-Member)
Historical HighlightsRecordsCollection Objects
Blogs