Online History Bee
"Wow, Hamilton was such a good show! And I understood all of the history! We need to see more musicals like this!"
If you have ever read about history and current events to study for the History Bee, you would be able to understand the complex history behind Hamilton too!
A student who prepares for a history bee is better able to understand various topics that have an impact on our world. These include current conflicts, borders, governments, and how we live today. Students will be able to comprehend the world and events going on around them more clearly, and become better informed citizens.
History Bee also has a section devoted to Indian History.
For rules of the contest, the participants should refer to: Rules.
To understand the scope of the contest for your grade level, please go to: Syllabus.
For help in preparing for the History Bee, visit: Preparation.
If you have any more questions about the History Bee, visit: FAQ.
In addition to all the general contest rules stated by North South Foundation, the following rules are applicable for the History Bee Competition.
-
There are 2 levels of competition in History Bee:
- JHB (Junior History Bee): Grades 1, 2 and 3
- SHB (Senior History Bee): Grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8
- The History Bee is a written test with 30 questions. All contestants will get the same 30 questions.
- The contestants will have 30 minutes to complete the test.
- For 2021 the test will be online and multiple choice.
- The decision of the judges is final.
- There will NOT be any partial credits. There will be NO negative points for any incorrect answer. The contestant will be awarded one point for the correct answer and zero for an incorrect answer.
-
Based on the total score, the judges will determine the winners. The 1st place winner shall be ahead by at least one point to be declared as the champion. In announcing the ranks 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, the judges will follow these rules:
- Announce Ranks 1, 2 and 3, if and only if there are at least 10 contestants
- Announce Ranks 1 and 2 ONLY, if there are 8 or 9 contestants
- Announce Rank 1 ONLY, if there are 5-7 contestants
- DO NOT announce any ranks if there are less than 5 contestants
- The tiebreaker rules apply ONLY if there are at least 5 or more contestants participating in a given center and at the discretion of the Judges or Regional Director.
-
After tabulation of scores, if there is a tie, the scheme outlined below is followed in the order given, to break the tie:
- Score among questions 26-30
- Score among questions 21-25
- Score among questions 11-20
- Score among questions 1-10
- If the above steps fail to break the tie in question, the foundation may use additional measures to resolve them or award joint ranks.
- There will not be national finals for History Bee in 2021 since the contest is still in pilot phase.
The questions will be related but not confined to the following categories.
Junior History Bee:
-
U.S. History
- Colonial Period
- Pre-Civil War Era
- Reconstruction & Progressive Era
- World War I, Interwar Period, and World War II
- Rights Revolution and Cold War
-
World History
- Pre-Columbian American History
- Ancient History
- East Asian History
- African History
- Colonial Era
- Post-World War Period
-
Indian History
- Ancient India
- Medieval India
- Colonial India
- Republic of India
- Empires
- Independence movement
-
European History
- Medieval Europe
- Age of Exploration
- Colonization
- Enlightenment Period
- Napoleonic Period to First World War
- Imperialism
- World Wars & Interwar period
- Cold War
-
Current Events
- World Current Events
- U.S. Current Events
- Elections
- Conflicts
- Agreements
Senior History Bee:
-
U.S. History
- Colonial Period
- Pre-Civil War Era
- Reconstruction & Progressive Era
- World War I, Interwar Period, and World War II
- Rights Revolution and Cold War
-
World History
- Pre-Columbian American History
- Ancient History
- East Asian History
- African History
- Colonial Era
- Post-World War Period
-
Indian History
- Ancient India
- Medieval India
- Colonial India
- Republic of India
- Empires
- Independence movement
-
European History
- Medieval Europe
- Age of Exploration
- Colonization
- Enlightenment Period
- Napoleonic Period to First World War
- Imperialism
- World Wars & Interwar period
- Cold War
-
Current Events
- World Current Events
- U.S. Current Events
- Elections
- Conflicts
- Agreements
*Disclaimer: The NorthSouth History Bee is not related to the National History Bee conducted by the International Academic Competitions.
- www.history.com
- www.naqt.com/you-gotta-know/by-category.jsp#tag_1007
- nationalhistorybee.com/history-bee
- The Illustrated History of the World by J.M. Roberts
- Crash Course World History (YouTube Series)
- Crash Course U.S. History (YouTube Series)
- Atlas of World History by Kate Santon and Liz McKay
- Encyclopedia of World History by Peter N. Stearns
The NorthSouth History Bee is intended as an opportunity for elementary and middle school children to study history and become more aware of the importance of History in day-to-day events.
History is important because it allows us to understand our past, which in turn allows understanding our present. Studying history can also provide us with insight into our cultures of origin as well as cultures with which we might be less familiar, thereby increasing cross-cultural awareness and understanding.
Being Indian-Americans, it is our responsibility and pride to impart the knowledge of Indian history and culture to our children, especially because the regular history curriculum in the United States barely provides rudimentary understanding of the complex history of India. That is why we are making it a part of the syllabus for the NorthSouth History Bee.
See the section on History Contest Rules.
No, a participant can only participate in one History bee and in one regional center only.
Yes, a child in KG is allowed to participate in Junior History Bee, on an equal basis without any special privileges. Parents should bring young children into the contest with the primary aim of getting them familiar with the Bee. Over the last several years many young children have participated and done exceedingly well in various contests.
Roughly around half the questions will be multiple choice.
Online registration via NorthSouth homepage is generally available, starting early December. You can also refer to the Regional Contest Calendar or ask your Chapter Director about registration deadlines and contest dates.
Read stories and watch videos about historical events and leaders. A lot of learning can happen without the child even realizing it! Watch the news regularly as a family and encourage discussion of events. This would help the young children to become aware of the events happening around them.
See the section on History Bee Preparation.
NorthSouth History Bee is not associated with the National History Bee and Bowl. You need to consult with your children’s school on the rules for entering the National History Bee and Bowl. What is important, however, is that by participating in the NorthSouth contest, your child will be better prepared to compete in the National History Bee and Bowl.
History Bee was introduced in 2019 as a pilot program only at selected centers at the Regional level. From 2020, it will continue to be offered on a pilot basis by Chapters where necessary resources are available.
Consult your Chapter Director for the specific contests being offered in your location.