American History Comparative research paper then and now?

[littlemisscontroverse]

I am trying to think of a good topic. It needs to be somewhere between the 1600's to 1800's and the present. I was thinking about doing a comparitive on the roles of the presidential first ladies but I didn't really know. I also thought of women and their roles but I figure that many people would do that. Another topic that was suggested was wartime but I figure many will do that one to.
oops I meant too at the end.
Spreedog- this sounds like it might be a bit challenging but it definitely interests me and works well because I am a nursing major