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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Register for Teacher Seminars on Colonial Life, the Revolution, and Black Lives in the Founding Era

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Lincoln Prize Ceremony Celebrates 2020 and 2021 Winners on April 19

Please join us on April 19 for the Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize ceremony. One of the most prestigious awards for the study of Abraham Lincoln, the American Civil War soldier, or the American Civil War era, this $50,000 prize is sponsored jointly by the Gilder Lehrman Institute and Gettysburg College.
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April Inside the Vault Spans Two Centuries of Achievement and Activism

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Black Lives in the Founding Era News, Week 3: George Washington and Slavery

The Gilder Lehrman Institute initiative “Black Lives in the Founding Era” restores to view the lives and works of a wide array of African Americans in the period 1760 to 1800, drawing on our archive of historical documents and our network of scholars and master teachers.
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Book Breaks in April Explores the Long Fight for Civil Rights, Globalization, and Washington's Farewell

Since the summer of 2020, Gilder Lehrman Book Breaks has featured the most exciting history scholars in America discussing their books live with host William Roka followed by a Q&A with home audiences. This April, a diverse set of books makes for probing discussions on the history of traveling as a Black person, the first civil rights movement of the early 1800s, globalization, and George Washington's Farewell Address.
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Talking about the Cold War with Gilder Lehrman History School Teacher Joe Welch

Joe Welch returns to teach a special four-week Gilder Lehrman History School course called “The Cold War” this spring.
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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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