Bookings are now open for History Day 2026. Save the date for Wednesday 18 November and join us in Senate House for this celebration of all things history!
History Day is organised by a small team at the Institute of Historical Research, School of Advanced Study and Senate House Library. History Day is an annual event that welcomes members of the public to meet a range of exhibitors including libraries, archives, historical societies and museums, all in one space. The day is ideal for students, researchers and anyone interested in history to explore collections and be inspired. Organisations attending include British Film Institute, Mass Observation Archive, Vaughan Williams Memorial Library, Whitby Museum and Black Cultural Archives.
This year’s theme
The theme this year is Grassroots History, Grassroots Collections. A diverse range of participating organisations will interpret this theme broadly with their stands and online contributions. There will be something for everyone to engage with both in person on the day, and virtually, before and after the event.
What to expect at History Day 2026
Claire Langhamer, Director of the Institute of Historical Research says:
“History Day is an opportunity for students, researchers and the history-curious to get together with archivists, collections and museums professionals, to talk about history and think about how we do it together. It’s for anybody who is interested in finding out more about particular collections — some of those collections are very specific, some of the collections are quite general, but the thing that unites everybody is an interest in the past… everybody is very welcome to History Day and we look forward to seeing you there.”
Catherine Clarke, Director of the Centre for the History of People, Place and Community and the Victoria County History of England at the Institute of Historical Research says:
“In some ways all history is grassroots history. We begin with close up work with sources, documents and archives; with individual lives and experiences. We scale up from those small details to tell our big stories. This year’s History Day will bring together organisations from right across the UK to share their archives and collections. It’s a brilliant opportunity to discover how they can inform and inspire your research.”
Lucy Baker has just joined as the IHR library graduate trainee library assistant and will be a key part of the organisation in the lead up to the event. Lucy says:
I am so excited to get involved with organising History Day, to help plan a day which allows people from all backgrounds to celebrate learning about the past. This event combines my love of social history with my interest in encouraging excitement about history among wide audiences, and I can’t wait to see how different organisations embrace this focus on everyday lives and voices.
Secure your place
Book now to secure your free place for History Day 2026.
You can also learn more about History Day by exploring last year’s event and hear what participants of History Day 2025 had to say about their experience of attending: