Norfolk Public Schools MacArthur History Essay Contest

The MacArthur Memorial and General Douglas MacArthur Foundation host an annual essay contest open to Norfolk Public Schools middle and high school students. This contest gives students a chance to flex their historical research and critical analysis skills while competing for a chance to win a cash prize, trophy, and invitation to an award ceremony. Teachers of winning students will also receive a gift card for classroom supplies.

2026 Contest Topic: The Occupation of Japan, Success or Failure?

The Allied occupation of Japan after World War II is considered the most successful occupation in history. What factors made it a success? Where did it fail?

Students are asked to craft a brief essay exploring one aspect of the occupation of Japan under General Douglas MacArthur. Students must write an essay arguing whether the decisions made about this aspect contributed to a success or a failure of civil affairs and lasting peace. Arguments must be supported with historical research based on cited, reliable resources.

Potential topics: women’s rights, labor and economic reforms, land redistribution, the new constitution and civil freedoms, American military presence in Japan, cultural and educational reforms, demilitarization, war crimes trials, laws passed and abolished, media and communications, propaganda

Prizes

Three middle school and three high school students will be chosen based on the strength of their essay and awarded one of six cash prizes in the form of a check. Winners will also receive a trophy and an invitation for themselves and up to two family members to the annual General Douglas MacArthur Foundation board dinner for an award ceremony where the prizes will be conferred.

1st Place: $1,000
2nd Place: $750
3rd Place: $500

Teachers of winning students will also receive a gift card towards classroom supplies (limited 1 per teacher).

Teachers, click here for a one-page information sheet for your classroom!

Dates to Know:

Contest opens January 26th, 2026
Deadline for submissions April 10th, 2026
Winners will be notified in May. Award ceremony will take place in June.

Requirements

This contest is currently only open to middle and high school students in the Norfolk Public Schools system in Virginia.
2-3 pages, double-spaced (about 500-750 words)
12-point Times New Roman Font
Submissions must be in English
Spelling and grammar will be considered during the review process
Plagiarism and the use of AI chatbots such as Chat GPT will result in disqualification
Essays must have a title page which includes:
- student's first and last name
- school name with city and state
- date being submitted
- must be labeled “2026 Norfolk Public Schools MacArthur History Essay Contest”
Essays must include a bibliography and have sources cited in Chicago Manual Style (Bibliography-Notes Style)
- At least three sources must be cited in the essay
- Bibliography does not count towards page requirement
- Sources will be reviewed for factual historical reliability
Submissions are due by email before midnight of deadline date. Submissions must be sent to macarthureducation@norfolk.gov
- Essays must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document or pdf file