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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#80: Living History

It's an important truth that those who don’t study history are doomed to repeat it. Unfortunately, sometimes we find ourselves living through historical moments whether we’ve prepared for them or not.

This week, we’re going to examine all the ways that people live through — and shape — history. Whether that’s an important activist organizer, a daring political leader, or just someone trying to educate people on the past so they can avoid previous mistakes, history is made up the actions of each and every one of us. How will your characters change the course of their world?

This week's prompts

Write about someone who never planned to make history but is now about to deliver a speech in front of millions.

Teens – 104 stories

Write about a child witnessing a major historical event.

Dramatic – 237 stories

Start your story with someone entering a museum, and end it with them settling down to join a sit-in.

High School – 41 stories

Write about an elderly character who was part of a historic movement years ago.

Historical Fiction – 134 stories

Start your story with a major news event breaking — one that will change the world forever.

Dystopian – 156 stories

Stories

“Everything Fades” by Iona Cottle

Submitted to Contest #80

Back home, in the kitchen she’d kept spotless, was a picture. It hung by the back door, and Anna-Lee had walked past it so often that she didn’t see it any more. If she’d been asked to describe her kitchen, she’d talk about the double stove, and the wonderful gas hobs. She’d talk about her large fridge and the separate freezer, and all the racks she had on the wall for hanging her utensils. With a sparkle in her eyes she’d talk about her herb garden, all the hand-painted pots that grew on a bookcase, so quaint and individual (or so she thoug...

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“Starship 9” by Jose Duron

Submitted to Contest #80

"We interrupt this program to deliver breaking news." The TV announced. My mom, who was humming while cleaning the kitchen, had her eyes glued on the screen. She was breathless at the images broadcasted. My dad, who was watching his game, went from frustration to..."Are you seeing this?" he turned to me. I looked at him with my mouth agape. I could see it in his eyes. Out of all the things that could've happened on a regular day, this was the last thing he expected. The news reporter continued sharing the event. I called my sister. She picke...

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“We Matter” by Amelia John

Submitted to Contest #80

Aaliyah was ready to take on the longest awaited journey of her life. Death. She lay on her daughter, Ebony’s, living room couch, cushioned underneath a mountain of heated blankets. She had always complained about Ebony’s house being too cold. Even under the heap of blankets, she still felt a slight chill. There was something different in the atmosphere this morning when she woke up. It was almost as if her almond colored skin could feel the difference as goosebumps rose on her arms, causing the small hairs to stand up agai...

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“A Peacock Pie to Remember” by Emily Rose

Submitted to Contest #80

Arnell, 2003: Arnell Donnelly was a writer. He firmly believed in the candor books had been able to express, with stories and truths unshakable to the core, ringing with an anthem so soft and pure only the most attentive could hear. He considered himself a learner, a reflector; a scholar so to speak. His life had been built around books, he had been reading by the age of 3. Books were friends you could count on, who told adventures, truths, ideas, perspectives you could never experience. Arnell was fascinated by stories and legends, the o...

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“What I Just Saw” by Stories Are Fun

Submitted to Contest #80

Date: November 22nd 1963 Location: Dallas, Texas “Is he here yet?” I ask my mother with impatience. “Not yet sweetie” she replies. “When, will he be here”, I ask. “Well he’s due to arrive soon so just hold in the excitement until it happens”. My name is Paul. I am an eight year old boy and my family is here for a special event. Today me and all the whole in Dallas are gathered here because someone very special is going to be coming here. Probably the most famous person in the whole of America. Wh...

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“Welcome to Hell” by Susan Hoff

Submitted to Contest #80

Conten Content warning: depiction of holocaust The clicking of the wheels on the tracks is the only thing reminding me that I’m still alive. I’m sure my eyes are open, yet I can’t seem to see anything. The thick stench of human excrement fills my nostrils as I struggle to breathe. Although it’s barely March, the air flowing through the train car is warm and heavy. I hear silent sobs all around me. We’ve been standing like this since they took us two days ago. A collection of limbs and sweat and tears. That is all we are to them. And although...

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“I said, they heard.” by Shreya Kandari

Submitted to Contest #80

I was seated on a chair, on the left side of a big hallway, my legs were shaking, so were my hands. Trembling with fear of losing the confidence that I mustered up. The technical and makeup staff was moving in hustle and bustle continuously, but I was feeling if the time was slow for me. I bit my lips and rubbed my hands. I have always felt nervous before a huge conference. As this was going to be a special one and in a stadium with thousands of spectators, this time I was more nuerotic than ever. As today what I will be saying and presentin...

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“The End” by James Morris

Submitted to Contest #80

President Johnathan Macmillan is a tall man that immediately says "powerful leader" as soon as you take one look at him. He is walking quickly down the White House hallway towards the Oval Office when one of the staff members caught up with him. He looked at her and said in a driving voice, "Tell me what you know, and quickly. I'm headed to address the press in five minutes." "Mr. President, NASA has confirmed the discovery and are working out the calculations as we speak. They won't have an exact time until later today." Grace had been wi...

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“The witch erruption” by Rayann Choudhary

Submitted to Contest #80

I was about 8 years old, i had come for a sleepover at my great grandmother's house. there was no other houses beside hers around here. Her house was quite big and i enjoyed coming over. It was one rainy night, my great grandmother was sitting in her big red chair, holding a hot cup of tea. I had my legs folded sitting on the floor in front of her. It was cold , I was wearing my orange zig zag sweater. I sat down staring at my great grandmother waiting in suspense, I was thinking what story she would tell me tonight. my great grandmother sta...

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“To Be Beloved” by David Brown

Submitted to Contest #80

Several Cyprian boys hooted and howled while playing a game of knucklebones at the threshold of the city-kingdom of Kition’s necropolis. They didn’t notice an elderly man approach and take his usual seat by the cemetery’s gates. The observer’s lengthy white hair blew chaotically in the Mediterranean island’s warm breezes, and his visage was as stern and emotionless as the statues of Thanatos and Hypnos, the Greek gods of death and sleep, which flanked the graveyard’s gates. In fact, when the old man’s frail fingers scratched his tousled gray...

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“The Hue of Betrayl” by Elizabeth Hawkes

Submitted to Contest #80

He gleefully squealed with laughter as he dodged away from the wave which launched his way. Cars continued to rip through puddles alongside the pavement paying no attention to the furrowed brows of passer-by’s. The swastikas flying high were impolitely ruffled as vehicles sped past them. Together, two boys charged through the scornful streets. They raced with such vigour that their afflictions seemed to dwindle behind, unable to keep pace with such proud autonomy. One raced ahead of the other, carving a path of vivacity through the fast grey...

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“Granny Ellen” by Bailey D.

Submitted to Contest #80

Author’s Note: This is my first story in a while, but I hope it’s still good and that you guys enjoy it! :DEllen Millson swayed back and forth in her rocking chair. Her hair, still bright red despite her age, was braided and resting on her shoulder. In front of Ellen, on a soft rug, sat two young children, a boy, and a girl. The boy had red hair like Ellen’s, just not so bright, and an animated look in his eyes. The girl had shockingly elegant raven hair; her dark blue eyes looked tired.“Didan,” Ellen spoke softly to the boy, “your sister se...

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“The truck that drove away. (Exclusion of Japanese-Americans)” by Sofie Klein

Submitted to Contest #80

I've heard so much about the Japanese-Americans being sent to camps surrounded by barbered wire. I asked Ma for the reason, but all she said was "Because they endanger our country." I think Ma is wrong. Mr. Nakamura from the shop down the street could never endanger the country, but what would Ma think if I said my opinion out loud. After all, I am just 10 years old, how could what I have to say possibly matter? Mr.Nakamura is like a second dad to me, but of course, I have a dad of my own so he was second place. He means so much to me I cann...

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“Horror on 33 Street ” by ItZ_RaYz Lalea

Submitted to Contest #80

It was the 26th of October in 2007 and a week before Halloween. Me (Micheal), James, Ryan, and Joe were excited and were planning what we were going to do this Halloween. My friend James suggested that we should throw toilet paper on the trees like last year. I told him "we do that every year and we should do something different this year." My brother Ryan suggested we should go to the house on 33 Street. The house on 33 street is abandoned, old, worn-out, and sitting on top of a tall Hill in Caliente Nevada. The hill was about 35 ft tall. I...

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“I'm a hero?” by Somegenius Kid

Submitted to Contest #80

No, no, no, no!!! This is impossible!!! 2 hours ago As Tasha rolled me off of the bed, I woke up and whined. “My goodness Just let me be. Please.” “No sleepy-head. Wake up!” She said right next to my ear. “Okay okay okay. Ugh.” It was Tuesday and I wanted to stay in bed although I was working at the World Trade Center. “You should be excited!” She said. “Well I just want to stay in bed.” I grumbled. “If I were you, I would wake up at like six! How could you not be excited!?” She asked. Now, she started to tick me off. “Could you just sto...

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Ended on 23:59 - Feb 12, 2021 EST

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Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

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