Well it resembles World war bur it's longer.

Well there was the hundred year war but it resembles WWII but it's very long.

I know but WWII is a better description.

Actually, the hundred years war was 116 years long. Plus it was only faught between 2 nations (France and England) not 3. Although at the end Joan of Arc helped the nearly dead France to come back and push the English of the mainland, which might be like the Avatar helping the EK. Of course, Joan of Arc was later burned at the stake... lets hope Aang dosn't copy her in that action.

I've never thought of their as actually being a "beginning" I'm a little rusty on my Asian theology, but don't the Hindews believe that the earth has always existed, being destroyed and then reformed. And with reincarnation, they believe that they have always existed and are just being reborn into the body they earned in the past life... someone smarter correct me if I'm wrong.

But since the Avatar world is based on Asian themes, I always assumed their was no "first" Avatar, but that they had always been. It sort of makes my brain hurt thinking about it,

Oh ya, that's right. Good point. Well, maybe the first Avatar reached complete enlightenment, and that is how he became the first Avatar, by being so good and powerful he was allowed to be reborn with the chance to regain the knowledge of his past life (thus, the Avatar state). Maybe he was skilled enough he didn't need that Avatar state, plus if bending was brand new, their wouldn't be many masters and none as powerful as today.

Also, remember, "time is an allusion", so maybe he was able to gain all the knowledge of future Avatars.

(I know this probably belongs in the speculation page, but I don't want to go there because of the spoilers. )