On Saturday, March 1st, 70 students from schools throughout northeastern Minnesota showed their knowledge at History Day. The program is sponsored by the Minnesota Historical Society. Students from 6th grade through 12th grade presented their exhibits, documentaries, websites and performances at University of Minnesota-Duluth.

National History Day in Minnesota is a co-curricular historical research program. The skills gained through the research help students build college readiness and communication skills. Anna Keto has participated in this program for the past four years.

“It was required my 7th grade year in middle school and I thought it was really fun. You got to pick your own topic and research whatever you wanted. So I’ve just done it every year since and had a really fun time,” Keto said. “My project is about the International Ladies Garment Workers Union and their Look for the Union label advertising campaign. I talk about how they sort of influenced how unions advertise rights and responsibilities today.”

Students began with the 2025 theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in History”. Some of the topics ranged from “Shipbuilding in the Twin Ports: The Women Who Won the War”, to “Blood Chocolate: Rights and Responsibilities Behind Child Labor in the Chocolate Industry”, to 1983 Spearfishing Case: Reasserting Ojibwe Rights. View a list of participating schools and student projects here.

“History Day is really cool because unlike a history class, you can focus on whatever you find the most interesting. I think going into History Day you feel like you have to like history, but you don’t really have to like history,” Keto said. “You can like sports or music or art and find some way some historical event impacted that today. It’s really cool to look back at the things you like in history. Someone might like it more, because it’s a real topic that you all are passionate about.”

Winners at Regionals will advance to State competitions on Sunday, April 27, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. State winners are eligible to compete at Nationals in Washington, D.C., in June.