By CTH Staff
The 2026 theme for National History Day is “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.” There are lots of different ways that revolutionary acts or movements cause others to react in particular ways, sometimes by demanding reform. Other times, reactions inspire revolutions and reform. Over the course of history, Connecticut’s people have changed our society by participating in revolutionary acts, reacting to circumstances, and advocating for reform.
Born out of Revolution 
This year, the American Revolution comes first to mind as the United States will be commemorating its 250th year of independence on July 4, 2026. As Connecticut joined the 12 other colonies to revolt against Great Britain, people in every town reacted to calls for independence in different ways. Some men quickly joined General George Washington in the Continental army while others voiced their loyalty to Great Britain. As men left to fight, women like Abigail Hinman prepared to defend their homes and numerous enslaved people chose to risk escaping to freedom. In the centuries since the American Revolution, the people of the United States have fought over how to best reform American society.
Exercising Rights for Reform
Americans often react to injustices and push for reform by exercising their 1st Amendment freedoms secured from the American Revolution—religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. People in Connecticut have gathered in protest from suffragists to civil rights activists to antiwar demonstrators.
Reactionary protests and demonstrations are often accompanied by legal or bureaucratic actions that work to codify reform. For example, Connecticut’s 1991 Gay Rights Law reformed discriminatory practices and was the result of decades of activism and protests. Decades earlier, Southbury residents pushed out a Nazi camp by changing the property’s zoning laws.
Revolution’s Long Road
Not all revolutions are successful and reform often takes a long time, sometimes generations. Born in Torrington, Connecticut, abolitionist John Brown chose to violently challenge slavery and was executed after his group raided the federal armory in Harper’s Ferry, Virginia in 1859. Polarizing reactions to Brown’s actions further intensified the growing divide between the North and South that led to the Civil War.
In the mid-20th century, Westport industrialist Vivien Kellems fought for decades for federal tax reform. Despite sending blank tax returns back to the IRS for years, Kellems failed to abolish federal income taxes. Regardless of how you decide to approach the theme, Connecticut’s history provides numerous examples of stories to help you in your search for a local topic that addresses the varied aspects of “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.”
We designed this Connecticut History Day page to help you find the perfect topic and connect you to the sources you need to get your project started. If you have any questions, we’re here, just ask. Happy exploring!
