Some practical tips on choosing a topic that will be easier to research and have more available primary sources:

• Choose an event that took place before 1924. 
  Why? More digitized primary sources are freely available due to copyright law. 
   
• Choose an event or topic that occurred in the 19th or 20th centuries.
  Why? Mass media expanded during the 19th and 20th centuries so there are more primary sources available such as newspapers, magazines, photographs, etc.
   
• Choose an event or topic that takes place in the United States.
  Why? As an American library we have more primary sources dealing with the United States than with other countries.
   
• Choose an event or topic that takes place in a country that once was an English colony.
  Why? These countries will more likely have English-language primary sources. 
   
• Choose an event or topic where there are many good secondary sources.
  Why? When there are many secondary sources it usually means that there are plenty of primary sources and those secondary sources will list them in their bibliographies.
   
• Choose an event that took place more than 20 years ago.
  Why? It is difficult to assess what sort of impact a very recent event will have plus it is more difficult to distinguish between primary and secondary sources for current events.

• Look at the Frontiers in History theme book for ideas
   
• Browse the Washington History Day Topic Guide for local history topics.
   
• Find a good, interesting collection of primary sources and come up with a topic that will work with the collection.
   
• Brainstorm some ideas alone or with friends. Take 3 minutes and jot down possible topics -- subjects that have always interested you. Once you are finished read through the list and see if any of the topics can be transformed into a history-related subject.
   
• Read today's newspaper. Are there historical underpinnings to today's major issues and events? Browse through the Washington Post's Made by History and Retropolis columns or listen to the NPR podcast, Throughline.


• Get inspired by some history podcasts: Witness History, The History Chicks, Past Present and In Our Time.


• Look at past topic guides and topic bibliographies for perennially popular subjects

Once you come up with a topic that you think will work check with your teacher and school librarian. They will be able to help refine your idea and give you leads on where to begin your research.