On Mon., Feb. 13, 2012, National History Day received the National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama in a ceremony at the White House. National History Day Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn accepted the award on behalf of all those involved with the program.

This was the first time a K-12 education program received the National Humanities Medal.  The citation credits National History Day as “a program that inspires in American students a passion for history. Each year more than half a million children from across the country compete in this event, conducting research and producing websites, papers, performances, and documentaries to tell the human story.”

"It's an honor to be recognized by the President and your peers for doing work that you love – helping students understand and appreciate history," said Gorn. "NHD represents the most ambitious humanities learning model for middle and high school students in the United States today. I have witnessed firsthand that the study of history can change the life of a young person far beyond this program. These students achieve not only academically but are also prepared for life."

Congratulations to National History Day, all its affiliate state programs, and all of the students and teachers whose work makes this program so transformative.