Do the Northern States and the Southern States (U.S.) have any major differences today?

Just go for it. I don't think you will have any issue with just asking her out on a date. There isn't anything in the Islamic faith that would prevent her from going out on a simple date (that I know of).

Pork, alcohol, and sex shouldn't have any effect on a date.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.