A famine in Mayo, Ireland in 1879 (the "Forgotten Famine") was pivotal for my paternal line. Earlier famines and economic distress in Ireland for one of my maternal lines. A long-term effect of the famines was to decrease marriage prospects for those who remained.
The Industrial Revolution in Britain, particularly "King Cotton" in Lancashire. Canals.
Founding of one of the world's oldest building societies in Longridge, Lancashire to build houses and workshops for handloom weavers & related trades such as nailers (bringing my nailer 5xGGF from south of the county), and expansion of the stone industry in the village attracting my stonemason 5xGGF from the north.
Railways, specifically rail link between Longridge and the town of Preston to transport stone. The growth of Preston, drawing in people from surrounding areas.
Going back a few hundred years earlier, the Reformation. Some of my English ancestors and the Irish ones stuck to the old religion. English ones declined to take Protestation oaths. Their choice of spouse was mainly limited to their co-religionists. By 1800 the head of the Anglican branch of one family was worth 3 times the Catholic one.
A new stagecoach route in late 18thC, coincided with growth of popularity in sea-bathing, changed a quiet inn, located in a small coastal town, to a busy & profitable coaching-inn for my ancestors who had been landlords for generations . Gradual relaxation of laws against Catholics, allowing those innkeepers and their relatives to become equal citizens, particularly regarding tax, property, inheritance and education. Decision of the lord of the manor to redesign the town-centre and demolish the inn, whereby my innkeeper family departed for the smoke of Preston and the metropolis of Manchester to run other inns and businesses. The younger son, (my 3xGGF) married in Manchester.
Radicalism in politics and trades unions in Preston during first half of 19thC. Strikes and trials. Chartism; demonstrations; shooting of demonstrators (outside the house of sister of a 3xGGF; another 3xGGF may have been taking part in the demonstration). Great Preston Strike & Lockout 1853-4 and ensuing trials. Peoples' Parliament in Manchester at the same time. My Preston-based, Scottish-born ancestor was involved in many of those events.
Lancashire Cotton Famine, a consequence of American Civil War.
I already knew about historical events. I'm pleased that some of my ancestors were participants, especially in the struggle for democratic reform and fair wages.