The main thing that happened in 1854 relating to Britain was the Crimean War, involving France & Britain against Russia. This leads to Florence Nightingale becoming a most famous nurse. The Charge of the Light Brigade where only 200 out of 700 men survived.
Why don't you look at a time-line? Leave territory north of Orange river, convention of Bloemfontein. University College Dublin, founded. Elgin Treaty between Britain & U.S. on Canadian trade. Norcote-Trevelyan report leads to Brit. Civil Service Commision. Working Mens College London founded by F.D.M. So there.