MOUNT VERNON — The Lucy Knox Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is accepting submissions for its annual American History Essay Contest.
The contest is open to all public, private, parochial, and homeschool students in grades 5 through 8.
In celebration of America 250, the 2026 essay prompt asks students to imagine that they were present at the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 8, 1776 and describe their reaction to this historic event.
Students are encouraged to research primary and secondary sources to produce an original, historically accurate, creative response.
Full contest guidelines and rules have been distributed to all local schools. Printed copies are also available at the public libraries in Mount Vernon, Centerburg, Danville, Fredericktown, Gambier and Chesterville.
All entries must be finalized and submitted electronically by Oct. 31.
Winners for each grade level will be invited to read their essays at the Lucy Knox DAR awards ceremony and will have their essays forwarded on to the State level competition.
The Lucy Knox Chapter is a local branch of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, a non-profit volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism.
For more information about the chapter, visit lucyknoxdar.org.