NHD-CA State Finals
This year's California state contest will take place at Sacramento State on April 19-21 2024. The winners from each county competition are eligible to advance to the state contest. Over 1,600 students compete at the state contest each year. California champions will advance to the national competition that takes place in Maryland in June.
2024 Contest Information
Dates:
Friday, April 19th to Sunday, April 21st
Jr./Sr. Division Awards will take place the morning
of Sunday, April 21st
Elem. Division Awards will take place Saturday April 20th at 3:00 PM
Location:
Sacramento State University
6000 Jed Smith Street
Sacramento, CA 95826
Results
Finalists
Winners
Quick Links
Interview Schedules
Preliminary Round Interview schedule alpha by student.
Entry Information Guides
Download the flyers to learn about submission information & what to bring to the contest.
Getting To Sac State
- Sac State is located in Sacramento off of HWY 50 & Howe Ave.
- School will be in session on Friday so plan on a little traffic and time time to park and walk to the union.
- Apple Maps Direction links to: Parking Structure III
- Google Maps Direction links to: Parking Structure III
PARKING THURSDAY
If you come on Thursday to check in you will need to purchase a parking permit online or at one of the kiosk locations.
PARKING FRIDAY - SUNDAY
- No permit is needed as long as you park in Parking Structure III.
- Friday, April 19th –– PSIII (Floors 3-6)
- Saturday, April 20th –– PSIII (All Floors)
- Sunday, April 21st –– PSIII (All Floors)
Merchandise Preview
Some of the items that will be on sale at NHD-CA.
Use your National History Day research to help meet some of the requirements for the California State Seal of Civic Engagement. The Civic Summit at History Day California provides students, grades 9–12, an opportunity to engage in civil discourse with other students on their topic.
Activities At NHD-CA
Friday, April 19th
Bear Photo Booth - Take a photo with Yosemite!
All weekend – Union Lobby
Board Games: 10:00AM - 5:00 PM, Union, North Lounge
Serna Plaza Activities
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Scavenger Hunt
1:45 PM - 2:15 PM, Otter Pop Pop Up
Game Room
9:00 AM - 8:30 PM, Union First Floor
11 billiards, 9 screens for PS4, Xbox One, table tennis & foosball
$5.00 per hour, must present badge
Campus Tours
10:30 AM - 2:30 PM, Redwood Room, Registration
NHD-CA Documentary Festival - Hinde Theatre
1:00 PM - 1:15 PM –– "A Neighborhood Lost: Sacramento's Japan Town"
1:15 PM - 1:30 PM –– "World's First Super Hero?!?! Ogon Batto"
Dr. Jeffry Dym, CSUS HIstory Prof. & award winning filmmaker
Exhibit, Poster, Historical Paper & Website Showcase!
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM, Union Ballroom
Planetarium Shows
4:15 PM - 4:45 PM –– "The Secret Lives of Stars"
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM –– "James Webb Space Telescope"
FREE shows, first-come, first served
Tschannon Planetarium
Junior Division Finalists & Special Awards Ceremony
6:00 PM, Union Ampitheater
- Live announcements & ribbons for finalists
- Presentation of Junior Special Award
- Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament
Performance, Podcast & Documentary Finals
See posted schedule on NHD-CA App and nhdca.org
Saturday, April 20th
Bear Photo Booth - Take a photo with Yosemite!
All weekend – Union Lobby
Board Games: 10:00AM - 5:00 PM, Union, North Lounge
Serna Plaza Activities
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Scavenger Hunt
1:45 PM - 2:15 PM, Otter Pop Pop Up
Game Room
12:00 PM - 7:30 PM, Union First Floor
11 billiards, 9 screens for PS4, Xbox One, table tennis & foosball
$5.00 per hour, must present badge
Campus Tours
10:30 AM - 2:30 PM, Redwood Room, Registration
Planetarium Shows
12:15 PM - 12:45 PM –– "Two Small Pieces of Glass"
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM –– "James Webb Space Telescope"
1:45 PM - 2:15 PM –– "Secret Lives of Stars"
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM -- "James Webb Space Telescope"
FREE shows, first-come, first served
Tschannon Planetarium
NHD-CA Documentary Festival - Union, Hinde Theatre
1:00 PM - 1:15 PM –– "John Sutter: What we did not learn in school"
1:15 PM - 1:30 PM –– "Desegregating Sacramento: A Fight for Fair Housing"
Center for Sacramento History, Curriculum for Teachers
Exhibit, Poster, Historical Paper & Website Showcase!
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM, Union Ballroom
Elementary Division Awards Ceremony
3:00 - 4:00 PM, Union Ampitheater
Civic Summit
3:00 PM - 6:30 PM, 9th - 12th grade only
registration required, Union Ballroom III
Senior Division Finalists & Special Awards Ceremony
6:00 PM, Union Ampitheater
- Live announcements & ribbons for finalists
- Presentation of Junior Special Award
- Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament
Performance, Podcast & Documentary Finals
See posted schedule on NHD-CA App and nhdca.org
NHD-CA Showcase
Parents, students, teachers and other guest may view student work at the following times.
Documentary, Podcast, & Performance Rooms Open to the Public
Check out a documentary, podcast, or performance during morning and afternoon judging sessions. Location: See NHD-CA App for locations.
NHD-CA Showcase
Explore exhibits, posters, websites, and papers during the NHD-CA Showcase from 1:00-2:00 PM. University Union on Friday & Saturday
- Students are invited to share their work during this informal showcase. Websites, Papers, Exhibits, Posters, will be showcased at this event. Attendance is not required.
- Parents, fans, and teachers are welcome to view student projects.
Explore Sacramento
California State Parks Welcomes History Day Participants
Present your NHD-CA name badge for FREE admission for you and your family or chaperon.
CA State Railroad Museum
More Information
Sutter's Fort State Park
More Information
Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park
More Information
CA State Indian Museum
More Information
CA State Capital Museum
More Information (closed Sat)
Sac History Museum
Welcomes History Day Students!
Old Sac Underground Tours
Friday - Sunday
Reserve in advance
50% discount – use promo code NHDCA2024
More Information
Sacramento County Office of Education
NHD-CA
P.O. Box 269003
Sacramento, CA 95826