2014

2014 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. It was marked by significant geopolitical developments, major scientific achievements, and notable cultural moments across the world.

In geopolitics, Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014, leading to international sanctions and a protracted conflict in eastern Ukraine. In the Middle East, the Islamic State declared a caliphate in June, expanding across parts of Syria and Iraq. The Gaza Strip experienced renewed conflict in 2014, and in December there was a significant shift in U.S.–Cuba relations with the restoration of diplomatic ties.

In aviation and public health, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared in March, triggering extensive international search efforts; Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine in July. The West Africa Ebola outbreak began in 2014, becoming the largest and most complex outbreak since the virus was first identified. Typhoon Hagupit struck the Philippines in December, and the year saw continued violence linked to Boko Haram in Nigeria and the broader region.

In science and technology, the European Space Agency's Rosetta mission achieved a historic landing of the Philae probe on comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko in November. In consumer technology, Apple released the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus; Sony Pictures Entertainment experienced a major cyberattack that year.

In sport and culture, the Sochi Winter Olympics were held in February in Russia, and the FIFA World Cup took place in Brazil from June to July 2014. The year also popularized the Ice Bucket Challenge, a viral campaign to raise awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Environment and economy: 2014 was among the warmest years on record in multiple datasets, contributing to ongoing discussions about climate change; global growth remained modest, with geopolitical tensions influencing energy markets.