Is history nothing more than a chain of accidents?

I wonder how many people have stumbled across the article from the BBC entitled:
Briefcase 'that changed the world'

What a fascinating review of history. A series of accidents, accidents of discovery, accidents with actions and what seems like pure good luck.

• For anyone who wants to believe in predestination this is worth reading
• For those who believe that things happen in SPITE of the best intentions of mere human beings
• For those who believe that truth is often stranger that fiction

this article is a MUST read.