I don't think you should do this on the model, form is a better place. Or you should rethink your models. For example.
From the Django docs: http://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/ref/models/fields/#choices.
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.