American History Essay Contest
The Daughters of the American Revolution sponsor two student essay contests each year, one for grades 5-8 and one for grades 9-12. This year a video contest is also available. The contests are open to all students in public, charter, private or homeschools. One essay / video at each grade level can be selected as the chapter winner and forwarded to the state competition. For specific information about this year's topics, as well as entry forms and contact information, see below.
All entries must be the students original work
Questions: Contact Karen Cox, American History Chair
5th - 8th Grade Essay
Stars and Stripes Forever
This years topic is
“Enjoying a new kind of Tea Party” Question: 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 1774, 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.
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Essays are due by Nov 30th.
Essay Entry Form
Flyer for 5-8th Grade Essay
Video Entry
This year there is a video category for grades 5-12. Create a 3 minute video on the topic of
The topic is “Enjoying a new kind of Tea Party” Question: 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 1774, 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.
See Guidelines document for more information.
Video Guidelines
Video Submission Form
Video Flyer
9th-12th Grade Essay
American Patriot Essay Contest
This year topic is
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.
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Essays Due by Nov 20 2024
Essay Guidelines Grades 9-12
Essay Flyer Grades 9-12