Yes we existed, but records of our being here or what we did is doubtful. Best theory of the end (besides the Big Rip that destroys everything) is the heat death. That is when all matter, including protons, decays into a fog of photons at a very low level of energy (red shifted into the infrared).
But some electromagnetic wave energy might still be there. That might include some data about what generated them (as in messages). Just some ideas though.
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.