"New Jersey History Day Act."

S4307 1R

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 4307

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MAY 18, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� PATRICK J. DIEGNAN, JR.

District 18 (Middlesex)

Senator� JAMES BEACH

District 6 (Burlington and Camden)

Co-Sponsored by:

Senator McKnight

SYNOPSIS

���� �New Jersey History Day Act.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As amended by the Senate on June 18, 2026.

��

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
1
[
shall annually
]

is
respectfully requested to
1

issue a proclamation recognizing December 18
1
of each year
1
as �New
Jersey History Day.�

���� 4.���
1
[
a.
]
1
�
Each school district may annually observe �New Jersey History Day� by
1
[
designating one
day or one week to celebrate
]

commemorating
1

the State�s history through appropriate instructional activities
1
aligned
with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies
1
.� 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.

����
1
[
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.�
]
1

���� 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.