Happy Parent Appreciation Day!

 National History Day Arizona comments, "Behind every NHD student is a parent or guardian offering encouragement, support, and plenty of rides to libraries, museums, interviews, competitions, and late-night project work.

Thank you for cheering on your students through every stage of the research process. Your time, patience, and support help make their discoveries—and their success—possible.

Today, we celebrate the parents and families who help inspire the next generation of historians!"

The Historical League is a proud supporter of this program.

Bashas "Your Arizona hometown Grocer"

 The story of Bashas', ‘Your Arizona hometown grocer,’ started when Lebanese immigrants Najeeb and Najeeby Basha opened a general store in Ray, Arizona, in 1910. azcentral. Full story: bit.ly/4ppqqvn

Listen to Eddie Basha tell his story when he was honored as 2001 Arizona Historymaker https://historicalleague.org/historymakers/eddie-basha/

NHDAZ students have a lot of support

 Family support means so much to the NHD students. Thanks to all the parents and families that joined NHDAZ this June in Washington D.C. at National Contest.

Silent Heroes

Excellent Program.

 

Thank you from Ruhi Rane NHDAZ student

Dear NHD AZ team,

 

I just wanted to say thank you so much for all of your support throughout my National History Day journey. It meant so much to me to have your encouragement and guidance as I worked on my project and had the opportunity to represent our state at Nationals.

 

Going to Nationals was an incredible experience that I will always cherish and remember. I learned so much, not just about history and research, but also about presenting my work, meeting students from around the country, and challenging myself to do my best. None of this would have been possible without the support of the state team.

 

Thank you for all the time, effort, and care you put into helping students like me succeed. I am truly grateful for everything you do.

 

Thank you again!

Sincerely,  Ruhi Rane 

Where was Ruhi Rane at award ceremonies? She gave an award-winning performance and received the Special Award in category Latino American History. Then NHD teacher Stacey Trepanier accepted her award.

Ruhi was off on another adventure . . . Speech and Debate Conference, Richmond, Virginia. One busy and talented girl!!

Title of her performance "Voices of the Vineyards: El Teatro Campesino and the Rise of the Farm Workers Movement".

Lattie F. Coor Jr. 1936-2026, 2014 Arizona Historymaker

 It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Lattie F. Coor Jr. on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at age 89.

Honored as 2014 Arizona Historymaker, Lattie was the 15th president of Arizona State University whose tenure achieved major milestones for ASU as a research institution.

His successor ASU President Michael M. Crow (2023 Arizona Historymaker) commented, “ASU would not be the institution it is today without Lattie Coor’s vision, leadership and commitment to the community.”

Listen to Lattie talk about his life story at https://historicalleague.org/historymakers/lattie-finch-coor-jr/

Thank you from Ziv Shemen NHDAZ student

 Dear Arizona Historical League,

One of the biggest things National History Day taught me is that history isn’t just something you read in a textbook, it’s something that helps explain the world we live in today. Researching the atomic bomb showed me how a single scientific breakthrough can change the course of history and continue to influence global events decades later. 

Representing Arizona at the National History Day Contest with my teammate, Grahm Harding, and being awarded Arizona’s Junior Division Outstanding Entry was an unforgettable experience. (Ziv and Grahm had a State award-winning junior group website The Nuclear Chain Reaction: The Explosive Discovery That Changed the World. The Historical League is proud to support NHDAZ.)

Beyond the competition, I had the opportunity to tour the U.S. Capitol, meet Arizona U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, and connect with students from around the world who share a passion for history. 

I’m incredibly thankful to the Historical League and the Arizona Historical Society for making these opportunities possible and for inspiring me to keep learning, asking questions, and sharing history with others.

Best,

Ziv Shemen

Grahm Harding and Ziv Shemen wearing their award ribbons
with NHDAZ co-ordinator Leonard Moody.

Ziv meeting Senator Mark Kelly and his staff