American History Essay Contests

The Davey Jackson Chapter, NSDAR, participates in the annual American History Essay Contest for students in grades 5 through 8.  In  preparation for the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, the Davey Jackson Chapter, NSDAR, will also participate in the Patriots of the American Revolution Essay Contest for high school students focused on figures of the American Revolution.  Details for each of these contests follows. 

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Grades 5-8

Title of Essay:

“Enjoying a New Kind of Tea Party!”

In the 1770’s there was a movement of protest from the Colonists against the British due to taxes and laws. Along the eastern coast a growing number of patriots held “tea” parties. The Boston Tea Party was on December 16, 1773, and the Charlestown, SC Tea Party and the Chester Town Tea Party followed in 1774. In October 1774, 51 women in Edenton, North Carolina, decided to refuse to buy tea from the British because of their high taxes and laws. In 1775, women in Wilmington, North Carolina, burned their tea for the same reasons. Imagine you are one of these women boldly participating in one of these Tea Parties in North Carolina. Give details of either the Edenton Tea Party or Wilmington Tea Party, describe the tea party, and why you would choose to join them. Then explain if you think it was a good decision.

LENGTH:

300-600 words (grade 5);

600-1,000 words (grades 6, 7, and 8)

One winner will be selected by the Davey Jackson Chapter for each grade level.  All entrants to this year’s contest will receive a certificate and grade-level winners will also receive a medal and monetary award.  All winning essays selected by our chapter will advance to the Wyoming state level competition.  The Wyoming state winner from each grade will advance to the divisional level. The divisional winners will advance to the national level where the winners are announced. All National winners will receive a certificate, medal and a monetary award.   Deadline for submission to the Davey Jackson Chapter is December 5, 2024. You can download official contest rules by clicking: American History Essay, Grades 5-8.

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Grades 9-12

“Patriots of the American Revolution”

DAR High School Essay Contest

Topic: Select a figure from the era of the American Revolution (1773 – 1783). Discuss how he or she influenced the course of the American Revolution, who he or she was and his/her contribution to the founding of a new nation. Your figure may be any person, whether a well-known figure or an everyday man, woman or child who supported the American Revolution in ways large or small.

Length: 800 to 1,200 words

Each essay must include a bibliography listing all references utilized. Four or more resources are expected. The bibliography should be cited in a standard, recognized citation style (e.g., APA, Chicago, MLA, etc.). Internet resources, if used, should be cited in the same style, including the electronic address used to access the document as supplementary information. Students are encouraged to use primary sources and cite them. 

All entrants to this year’s contest will receive a certificate.  A single winner will be selected by the Davey Jackson Chapter and will receive a medal and monetary award.  The chapter winner will advance to the Wyoming state level competition.  The Wyoming state winner will advance to the divisional level. The divisional winner will advance to the national level. The National winner will receive a certificate, pin and monetary award.  

Deadline for submission to Davey Jackson Chapter is December 5, 2024. You can download official contest rules by clicking American History Essay, Grades 9-12.

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Have questions?  

Please contact the Davey Jackson Historian. djc.wydar.historian@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing your entries!