As we celebrate the Lancashire Post’s 140th birthday, we thought it was only right to celebrate some of the biggest news stories from across the county’s history too.
For our next ‘Lancashire best’ gallery, we’ve therefore taken a look at 14 of the most significant historical moments in Lancashire’s past.
Some of them are celebratory, others are tragic, but they all helped shape Lancashire into the county it is today.
The Lancashire Post may not have been founded until 1886, but we’ve decided to look further back than that- in fact we explore the very beginnings of Lancashire itself but more on that later.
So, from world-changing inventions and historic battles to remarkable achievements and moments of tragedy, take a look at the 14 moments we think deserve a place in Lancashire’s history books.
So far in our Lancashire Post 140th celebration galleries we’ve looked at the legendary Lancastrians who made history over the years, the famous faces who keep our county’s name in lights today, the famous brands that began life in Lancashire, the best restaurants in Lancashire, the best vegan restaurants in Lancashire, the best performing secondary schools in Lancashire and the best performing primary schools.

13. Preston officially becomes a city (2002)
In 2002, Preston was granted official city status as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations. The award recognised its historic importance and marked a new chapter in its civic identity. Pictured: The Queen and Prince Phillip on the steps of the Harris Museum during her Jubilee visit

14. The Morecambe Bay cockling tragedy (2004)
On 5 February 2004, 23 Chinese migrant workers drowned after becoming trapped by the incoming tide while gathering cockles on Morecambe Bay. It became one of the most significant modern tragedies in Lancashire and prompted renewed attention to worker protection and human trafficking.
.jpeg?trim=101,0,101,0&crop=&width=800)
15. Preston’s Nick Park becomes Lancashire’s most celebrated Oscar winner (2006)
In 2006, Nick Park won the Academy Award for Best Animate Feature with 'Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit'. This win marked his fourth Oscar and means Nick still holds the record for the most Oscar decorated Lancastrian. | Getty Images


