"New Jersey History Day Act."

A5251

ASSEMBLY, No. 5251

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED JUNE 15, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman� WILLIAM F. MOEN, JR.

District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)

SYNOPSIS

���� �New Jersey History Day Act.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act
designating December 18 of each year as �New Jersey
History Day� and supplementing Title 36 of the Revised Statutes.

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� This act shall be known
and may be cited as the �New Jersey History Day Act.�

���� 2.��� The Legislature finds
and declares that:

���� a.���� Instruction in State
and local history strengthens civic identity, community engagement, and
historical understanding.

���� b.��� New Jersey has a rich
history that is well-suited for incorporation into American history courses, as
New Jersey history spans across time periods from pre-Columbian to the
present.� New Jersey also played a central role in the founding of the United
States.� On December 18th, 1787, New Jersey became the third state to ratify
the United States Constitution and later became the first state to ratify the
Bill of Rights.� Learning about the impact of this State on the history of the
United States can strengthen residents� civic engagement.

���� c.���� The State�s history
reflects a diverse and evolving population, contributing to its civic,
cultural, and economic development.� Dedicating a day to State and local
history provides opportunities to establish commonalities across demographics.�
Through understanding the populations that built our communities, residents of
this State can develop a greater sense of community identity.

���� d.��� While current law
requires the teaching of New Jersey history, there is no designated Statewide
observance to highlight and celebrate such history.� By designating and
observing a day for the history of New Jersey, the State would provide an
interactive opportunity for schools, communities, and cultural institutions to
collaborate in educating all generations of residents.� Such collaborations
with cultural institutions can also raise awareness of, and support for, these
institutions.

���� e.� It is fitting and proper
for the State of New Jersey to designate December 18 of each year as �New
Jersey History Day� in New Jersey.

���� 3.��� a.� December 18 of each
year is designated as �New Jersey History Day� to acknowledge the contributions
of the State and its municipalities to American history and to cultivate civic
identity, community engagement, and historical understanding among residents.

���� b.��� The Governor shall
annually issue a proclamation recognizing December 18 as �New Jersey History
Day.�

���� 4.��� a.� Each school district
may annually observe �New Jersey History Day� by designating one day or one
week to celebrate the State�s history through appropriate instructional
activities.� Such activities shall, to the greatest extent practicable,
include:

���� (1) instruction on significant
events, places, and figures in New Jersey history;

���� (2) exploration of local or
municipal history, including the community in which the school is located;

���� (3) student projects,
including, but not limited to, research presentations, exhibits, performances,
or digital media;

���� (4) visits to local historic
sites;

���� (5) guest speakers;

���� (6) walking tours or
community-based projects; and

���� (7) public exhibitions of
student work.

���� b.��� The Department of
Education shall provide guidelines and information to school districts for use
in planning the activities in observance of �New Jersey History Day.�

���� 5.��� The New Jersey
Historical Commission, in consultation with the Department of Education, shall:

���� a.���� develop and distribute
resource materials for school districts;

���� b.��� promote Statewide
participation in the celebration of �New Jersey History Day�; and

���� c.���� provide, within the
limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the commission for
its purposes, grants to support appropriate programs and activities to observe
�New Jersey History Day.�

���� 6.��� This act shall take
effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This bill, to be known as the
�New Jersey History Day Act,� designates December 18 of each year as �New
Jersey History Day� to acknowledge the contributions of the State and its
municipalities to American history and to cultivate civic identity, community
engagement, and historical understanding among residents.

���� Instruction in State and local
history strengthens civic identity, community engagement, and historical
understanding.� New Jersey has a rich history that is well-suited for
incorporation into American history courses.� On December 18th, 1787, New
Jersey became the third state to ratify the United States Constitution and
later became the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights.� The State�s history
reflects a diverse and evolving population, contributing to its civic,
cultural, and economic development.� While current law requires the teaching of
New Jersey history, there is no designated Statewide observance to highlight
and celebrate such history.

���� This bill requires the
Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing December 18 as �New
Jersey History Day.�

���� The bill also permits each
school district to annually observe �New Jersey History Day� by designating one
day or one week to celebrate the State�s history through appropriate
instructional activities.� The Department of Education will provide guidelines
and information to school districts for use in planning the activities in
observance of �New Jersey History Day.�

���� The bill provides that the New
Jersey Historical Commission, in consultation with the Department of Education,
will develop and distribute resource materials for school districts, promote
Statewide participation in the celebration of �New Jersey History Day,� and
provide grants to support appropriate programs and activities to observe �New
Jersey History Day.�