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History Day gets $1.9 million gift, Smithsonian partnership

Organizers of the National History Day competition are announcing a $1.9 million gift and a partnership with the National Museum of American History to expand the program and reach more students.

The program, based in a dorm basement at the University of Maryland, will receive the donation from philanthropist Kenneth Behring. The 80-year-old real estate developer is a major Smithsonian supporter, giving $100 million in recent years to support history programs.

More than 600,000 middle and high school students compete in the year-long History Day program at the local, state and national levels, conducting interviews and primary research on selected topics. Their work is presented through papers, Web sites, exhibits, performances or documentaries.

The theme for this year's history projects is "individuals in history," inspired by the 200th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's birth.

Read entire article at http://www.abc2news.com