National History Day 2026
Vocabulary
Here are some terms and definitions you will be hearing throughout your NHD journey
Revolution
"the forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favor of a new system," or "a dramatic and wide-reaching change in the way something works or is organized or in people's ideas about it."
It's when big changes happen quickly and often in a powerful way. It can be when people overthrow a government or system and replace it with something new. It can also be a major shift in how things work or how people think about something.
Reaction
"an action performed or a feeling experienced in response to a situation or event; the resistance or opposition to a force or movement."
It's how someone acts or feels when something happens. This can mean pushing back or standing against a new idea, change, or movement.
Reform
"the effort to change to a better state or form; to improve by alteration, substitution, abolition."
It means working to make something better. It could involve changing, replacing, or getting rid of parts of a system or idea to improve it.
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