How about the war of 1812. U. S. loses to Britian and Canada?

 

Gadsden purchase 1853
Probably refreshing subject for the prof.

 

Write it on the misperceptions in American history. I am taking a history course on that. Go to the library and look for a book called Lies my History teach told me by James Loewen. You could write about how Columbus is considered the "discoverer" of the Americas even though there are recorded accounts of others who had landed there previously, not to mention the Indians (Native Americans) who were already there (how do you discover some place when there are already settlers there)

Just an idea

 

http://www.a1-termpaper.com/his-b65.shtml

And if you get too busy you can just buy the paper...

 

History of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
http://www.cmohs.org/medal/medal_history.htm
On December 9, 1861 Iowa Senator James W. Grimes introduced S. No. 82 in the United States Senate, a bill designed to "promote the efficiency of the Navy" by authorizing the production and distribution of "medals of honor". On December 21st the bill was passed, authorizing 200 such medals be produced "which shall be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen and marines as shall distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action and other seamanlike qualities during the present war (Civil War)." President Lincoln signed the bill and the (Navy) Medal of Honor was born.

Two months later on February 17, 1862 Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson introduced a similar bill, this one to authorize "the President to distribute medals to privates in the Army of the United States who shall distinguish themselves in battle." Over the following months wording changed slightly as the bill made its way through Congress. When President Abraham Lincoln signed S.J.R. No. 82 on July 12, 1862, the Army Medal of Honor was born.

 

That is the best advice one can get! Have done that a few times.

 

first idea Betsy Ross and the creation of the american flag.

second idea Arlington National Cemetery and its creation ( it was robert e lees property.

third idea important men in the 18 century who had slaves. Washington, Thomas Jefferson. These men created the usa and every man is equal but the slaves they had.

forth idea valley forge during the winter campaign what happend ( starvation) how they survived ect.

fifth idea the building of washington dc who developed it whos land was it ( wahington gave it away i believe)

i could keep going but gladator is coming on hbo

 

I was actually going to recommend that as well, but the OP said "no wars".

I find this part of history fascinating, especially since so much of it took place around my area.

 

Depending on where you live, why don't you write about the history of your city or county (if it was founded before 1865.), You can learn about local landmarks and reasons for prominent families. Just an idea.

 

I think Lewis And Clark might be a winner...

 

Those guys and their team kicked ***. It's a phenomanal story.

It's amazing how small Washington and our government was back then. If you went to the White House and knocked on the door, Thomas Jefferson might open the door and invite you in, lol.

I saw on the web the actual expenditures for the entire expedition were $38,722. There are some guys on this site that paid more than that for their trucks.

 

You could write about how the Declaration of Independence was a formal mutiny.