Students in grades 5 through 8, including homeschoolers, are invited to participate in an essay contest celebrating America’s history.

The essay title must be “A Colonial Family’s Reaction to the Stamp Act.” The 250th anniversary of the Stamp Act took place on March 22. Passed by the British Parliament in 1765, this new tax required all colonists to pay a tax on every printed piece of paper they used. The Stamp Act was viewed by the colonists as “taxation without representation.” Describe a colonial family’s discussion about the new Stamp Act and what role it played in organizing the colonists against the British King and Parliament.

The length of the essay can range from 300 to 1,000 words, depending on grade level.

Students in grades 9 through 12, including homeschoolers, are invited to participate in the annual Christopher Columbus Essay Contest.

The essay title must be “Columbus and Lindbergh: A Journey Across the Atlantic.” Ranging in length from 800 to 1,200 words, participants are to discuss the differences and similarities between Columbus’ voyage to the new world and Lindbergh’s first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. What effect did 400 years between their accomplishments have on what each man hoped to achieve, the challenges they faced and the skills essential to their success?

The deadline to submit the essays is Tuesday, Nov. 10.

The Constantia Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is the local sponsor.

For more information, contact Christine B. Young, chairwoman of the American History Committee, at 539-3479 or christinebyoung@msn.com.