Thank you note from NHD student Ruhi Rane "Pins, Needles, and Responsibilities"

Words of gratitude from National History Day students are appreciated. Historical League believes in the NHDAZ program, giving over $15,000 this year.

 My name is Ruhi Rane and I competed in the Exhibit category with my project titled “Pins, Needles, and Responsibilities: The ILGWU and the Fight for Labor Rights”. 

I sincerely appreciate the help provided towards the costs of traveling to Maryland to compete in the national competition.

Participating in NHD regionals, state and then National competition was a very rewarding experience, which I am truly grateful for.

 

The most rewarding part of National History Day was getting to share my project with people and seeing how interested they were in learning about garment workers’ struggles. 

The most stressful part was the interview, but I practiced a lot and it really helped! I learned how important it is to speak up for what’s right and how to dig deep into research to tell a powerful story.

 

Thank you for an awesome experience!

-Ruhi 

National History Day student Brad Wu also winner in National Science & Engineering Fair

 You ROCK - Brad Wu! He took first place in documentary at the finals National History Day in College Park, Maryland!!

Now he has won third place in biomedical engineering at the National Science and Engineering Fair.

The Historical League is a proud sponsor of National History Day and excited to encourage students like Brad to be their best!!

New website in progress for Historical League

So much work has gone into creating a new, faster, more detailed, user friendly Historical League website. Thanks to Mary Perona and her team for making this happen.  Zoom calls were one of the many times her team has met to discuss the changes and updates.

From Historymakers events, Become a Member, Mission Statement, Volunteer, Donate, Contact, and Membership Connections, Mary has spent time making sure we are able to put our best face forward, better ways to function as a non-profit, attract new people, support the Arizona Historical Society and promote our events. All this plus great photos on a computer or cell phone. 

Juneteenth Celebration at AZHC

Juneteenth Celebration at AZHC. We are so grateful for all the volunteers and Historical League members at this event. Much appreciation to SRP and Historical League for sponsorship.

Thanks to Katie Tovar, Jolynn Clark and Norma Jean Coulter for the pictures. Jolynn commented, "We got to meet a lot of people and talk about the League and what we support. It was fun."

Researcher for Black Women & WWII: The 6668th Postal Directory with Katie Tovar

Katie Tovar, Sharron McKinney, Jolynn Clarke, Anne Lupica

Katie Tovar, Anne Lupica, Chris Hackett

Zona Lorig, Josie Pete, Katie Tovar

Katie Tovar, Sharron McKinney, Pat Faur, Chris Hackett

Susan Dale

Richard "Dick" Snell 1930-2025

Richard "Dick" Snell 1930-2025

It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of Richard "Dick" Snell, one of our 2008 Arizona Historymakers.

His life and legacy are documented in video and oral history at 

https://historicalleague.org/projects/richard-dick-snell/

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

https://www.azcentral.com/obituaries/pazs1206684

Alice "Dinky" and Richard "Dick" Snell in 2008

Snell & Wilmer

National History Day article in The Guardian

 “The place where we are today didn’t come out of thin air. If we study history, dissect it, then we can progress.” commented NHD student Vritti Udasi, a high schooler from Florida.

Today's issue of The Guardian gives us insight into National History Day with interviews from the students.

The Historical League is a strong supporter of NHD!!

Read the article at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/jun/19/national-history-day-school-students-trump

Juneteenth Celebration June 21, 2025

 Juneteenth Spirit Endures in the Valley.

Front page article July 19 in The Arizona Republic interviews our own Todd Bailey about the Saturday, July 21 celebration at AZHC.

Juneteenth marks the Union forces’ June 19, 1865, announcement in Galveston, Texas, of the emancipation of more than 250,000 slaves in the former Confederate state.

Come celebrate with us!

New York Times features NHD students Imani Haven and Carmen Thompson

June 14, 2025

At National History Day, Students Get Competitive About the Past

Americans are fighting about history. This past week, thousands of students across the country came together to celebrate it.

 
Imani Haven and Carmen Thompson, two 16-year-olds from the White Mountain Apache tribe who live in the reservation community of Cibecue, Ariz., had brought an exhibit about missing and murdered Indigenous women.

“We really wanted to raise awareness,” Imani said. “Lots of people are coming up to us and asking questions.”

It was their first time participating in National History Day, and their first trip on an airplane. (That evening, they planned on going to the beach.) But many students were back for a second, third, fourth time, sometimes as parts of multigenerational National History Day dynasties.

Read the full article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/14/arts/national-history-day.html?unlocked_article_code=1.O08.Nl5K.kupUk74UhBq5&smid=fb-share&fbclid=IwY2xjawK7iblleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFiZnhKNUlIYkhUVVJiRnN4AR6QlA9YrfEpMzU8nJbjQudbYZ47tYmTFPiMSz952VOl83uljb_ee1uoVfh9fQ_aem_dRYTU8Gzgt1spdqA7m-1rA

Pictures exhibit "MMIW Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women" from South Mt Community College State competitions:

1st Place NHD winner Brad Wu: Senior Individual Documentary

Congratulations to Brad Wu at National History Day Awards Ceremony!

1st Place NHD winner Brad Wu: Senior Individual Documentary

NHD news: Brad Wu showcased his first place winning senior documentary at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Title is Camp Jened: A Revolution Born in the Mountains.

Historical League members got a preview of the documentary in May at Scottsdale's Museum of the West mentoring "Day at the Museum" and we appreciate his work!

Details in this press release:

COLLEGE PARK, MD – June 4, 2025 – National History Day® (NHD) is proud to announce a slate of student showcases at cultural institutions in Washington, D.C., during its 2025 National Contest week. 90 student historical research projects – from papers and documentaries to performances and tabletop exhibits – will be displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, National Museum of the American Indian and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, along with the White House Historical Association on Wednesday, June 11. All research projects reflect this year’s National History Day contest theme, Rights and Responsibilities in History.

47 student exhibits will be on display at the National Museum of American History (NMAH) on June 11 and will remain on display all day during opening hours. Also at NMAH, 13 student performances from 11 NHD affiliates will present their historical performances in a performance showcase from 12:30 to 5 pm. The performances will take place in the Hall of Music.

In addition to exhibits and performances on display at NMAH, the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) will present 18 student documentaries in the Oprah Winfrey Theater from 11:00 am to 3:30 p.m. National History Day National Contest entries from 15 different states will be represented at this documentary showcase.

Brad with teacher NHD Stacey Trepanier