5 things that have influenced history

Creation of the earth-  Earth is the only planet we know of that has an atmosphere that can sustain life.  The creation of earth made it possible for all of us to be alive today.

http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio303/bigbang.htm

 

First oxygen breathing animals appear- The first oxygen breathing animals were important because they evolved into the now many types of complex oxygen breathing organisms, including us.  It also led to the growth of trees and plants because oxygen breathing animals release carbon dioxide into the air that plants need to survive, and in turn they provide oxygen for us.

http://www.tufts.edu/as/wright_center/cosmic_evolution/docs/text/text_bio_1.html  (paragraph 14 under Oxygen Breathing Organisms)

Man learns to control and use fire-  Fire sustains life, it allows people to stay warm and cook food.  Just one fire can keep a person, or group of people alive, so the learning of how to control and use fire allowed the human race to continue to evolve.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,444492,00.html

Ritual burials in Europe and Near East suggest belief in afterlife-  Believing in an afterlife leads to religion which impacts both individuals, and great civilizations.  Religion influences people's ideas of what is right, and what is wrong causing them to do both great deeds of kindness, and huge massacers of innocent people. 
(could not find a link)

 

Agriculture begins to replace hunting in Europe-  Since hunting requires people to move with the animals they are hunting, they cannot form communities or stationary homes.  Agriculture allows people to live in one place and create civilizations, while still giving them enough to eat.

P. Bellwood, First Farmers: The origins of agricultural societies (2004), pp. 68-69.