Theme Information

Sample Topics

Primary Source References

150 topics about Minnesota

Topics and Information

2.  Overview (Topic Selection, Finding and Organizing Information, Process Papers, and Presentations)

• Overview

3.  Topic Selection

• Topic Ideas - Ideas from the Minnesota Historical Society.

4.  Research

• Primary vs Secondary Sources - Definitions and examples.
  • Primary Sources
  • Secondary Sources
• Research Journal - Keep track of your daily research.
• History Day Source Forms
  • Book
  • Database
  • Encyclopedia
  • Internet
  • Reference Book

5.  Process Paper

• Process Papers  - Examples.
• Process Paper - Farmington 7th Grade instructions.
• Annotated Bibliography

6.  Exhibits & Essays

• Essay Information - Creating Historical Paper Entries.
  • Essay Instruction Sheet - How to Write Your Essay.
• Exhibits - Tips.
• Exhibits Word Limits - How words are counted in exhibits.

Other Information

• Minnesota History Day
• National History Day 
• National History Day Rule Book
• Contest FAQs - Exhibit word count, Paper word count, Annotated Bibliography number of sources.
• HELP - Minnesota History Day Hot Line and Help Desk

Minnesota Sources

• Minnesota Resources 

Links to History Day Resources


 American Journeys (primary source)  
 American Memory Collection  
 American Rhetoric (speeches)  
 America's Story  
 Archiving Early America  
 BoondocksNet  
 Eyewitness to History  
 Gettysburg Address Reaction  
 Government Documents (primary source)  
 History Channel  
 Ironworld Research Center  
 Manuscripts - Library of Congress  
 MN Historical Society - Media Catalogs  
 MN Communities - Primary Sources   Features Hibbing, St. Anthony, and Red Wing
 Minnesota Historical Society Visual Resources  
 National Archives  
 National History Day - Minnesota  
 National Public Radio Archives  
 Outline Maps  
 PBS American Experience  
 Smithsonian Institute  
 Timeline - American Memory  
 Timeline - U.S. History  
 Wilson Library - University of MN  
 Women's Speeches  

Other Sources

• American Colonist's Library - Primary source documents pertaining to early American history.
• American Journeys - Eyewitness accounts of early american exploration and settlement.
• American Memory - Digital copies from the Library of Congress of written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music.
• American Rhetoric - Full text audio and video (streaming) versions of public speeches, sermons, legal proceedings, lectures, debates, interviews, and other recorded media events.
• America's Story - Library of Congress primary source documents.
• Archiving Early America - Primary source materials from the 1700's.
• Avalon Project - Documents in law, history, and diplomacy from Yale Law School.
• Best History Websites - Links to over 1000 history websites.
• Chronology of U.S. Historical Documents - List of document in chronological order.
• Digital History - Historical Newspapers, Court Cases, Landmark Documents, Ethnic Voices, Interactive Timeline.
• Documenting the American South - Primary source documents on southern history, literature, and culture.
• Encyclopedia Smithsonian - List of subjects with links to information and artifacts in the Smithsonian collections.
• EuroDocs - Primary historical documents from western europe.
• Eyewitness to History - Eyewitness accounts and documents of historical events
• Historical Museum Guide for the United States - Directory of U.S. History Museums.
• History Matters - Links to many Primary source documents.
• National Archives - Pictures, drawings, maps, charts, and documents.
• NYPL's Online Photographs & Manuscripts - Free use in classroom or student paper that is not for publicatio
• Our Documents - 100 milestone documents from the National Archives with photos and information on each document.
• Repositories of Primary Sources - Listing of over 5,000 websites of primary sources.
• Smithsonian National Museum of American History - Documents from the Smithsonian Museum.
• Springfield Township High School - Links to many Primary Sources.
• State Archives and Historical Societies - Links to historical societies, archives, and museums.
• State, County, and Local Government - Websites for these government agencies.
• Veterans History Project - Hear and See U.S. Veterans Stories.