2025 Student Contests: Take a deep dive into American history—and win cash prizes

This spring, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is pleased to offer a series of contests for students in grades 3 through 12. All contests are free to enter, provide cash prizes for the winners, and allow students the opportunity to explore a particular topic, theme, or individual from American history. 

Learn more about each contest below, and please email education@gilderlehrman.org if you have any questions!

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Introducing Martene Campbell, the 2018 Arkansas History Teacher of the Year

Martene Campbell  Arkansas History Teacher of the Year 
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The National History Teacher of the Year 2018 is Joe Welch

Meet Joseph Welch, 2018 National History Teacher of the Year Joseph Welch is a seventh and eighth grade social studies teacher at North Hills Middle School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has been the curriculum chair and project advisor for Project Connect 1:1 Initiative, a sponsor of the National History Day Program for Regional Students, and the director of the North Hills DC Trip Program.
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Civil Rights Leader C. Herbert Oliver Recalls His Report on the Bombing of Birmingham’s Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in 1963

Just five days after the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama on September 15, 1963, Reverend C. Herbert Oliver wrote a report on Birmingham in the form of a letter, circulated nationwide on behalf of the Inter-Citizens Committee, in which he documented the violence that was consuming the city.   The Gilder Lehrman Collection recently acquired an original copy of Reverend Oliver’s letter. Reverend Oliver, who now lives in Brooklyn, kindly agreed to an interview at the Collection, which included a special viewing of his letter. 
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Introducing Christopher Raso, the 2018 Arizona History Teacher of the Year

Christopher Raso  Arizona History Teacher of the Year Award Winner 
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Introducing Lem Wheeles, the 2018 Alaska History Teacher of the Year

Lem Wheeles  Alaska History Teacher of the Year Award Winner 
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September 8 in the Gilder Lehrman Collection: Ford Pardons Nixon

Pardoning a President
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Recent Press Mentions

Graduation Ceremony Held for the Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History

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On Saturday, July 15, Gettysburg College celebrated the achievements of graduates of the Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History.
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International Press for GLI's Spanish-American Curriculum Partnership with the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute

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The Sentinel Interviews Kevin Weddle on Winning the Gilder Lehrman Prize for Military History

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"In today’s 5 Questions, The Sentinel gave Weddle the opportunity to delve deeper into the research and findings of his book that recently earned him the Gilder Lehrman Prize for Military History."
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