The world in
What happened in 2014?
9 events across 6 world regions, each with its sources.
Europe
- 2014 Crimean Status Referendum
On March 16, 2014, amid the Russian military occupation of the Crimean peninsula, a referendum on the region's status was held unilaterally by the Russian-controlled local authorities. Voters in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol were asked whether to join Russia or remain part of Ukraine. Ukraine's Constitutional Court ruled the referendum unconstitutional the day before the vote. Russian officials claimed about 97% of participants supported accession to Russia, and the occupation authorities endorsed the results on March 17. The referendum was widely condemned internationally as violating international law and was not recognized by Ukraine or the global community.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Outbreak of the War in Donbas
In April 2014, Russian-backed paramilitaries launched an uprising in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, seizing territory and declaring independent states, prompting a military response from the Ukrainian government. This phase of the Russo-Ukrainian war, fought as a hybrid conflict, lasted until it was subsumed by the full-scale invasion in 2022.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Philae Lands on Comet
On 12 November 2014, ESA's Philae lander achieved the first soft landing on a comet, 67P. After separating from Rosetta, it bounced twice before settling in a non-optimal position, transmitting data for about 64 hours.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
East Asia
- 2014 Hong Kong Protests (Umbrella Revolution)
From September to December 2014, large-scale pro-democracy protests, known as the Umbrella Revolution, occurred in Hong Kong. Demonstrators occupied major roads to oppose the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress's decision on electoral reform. The movement was symbolized by yellow umbrellas used to shield against pepper spray, with key demands for civil nomination of the Chief Executive and reform of the Legislative Council functional constituencies.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Founding of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank was founded in 2014 as a multilateral development bank to fund infrastructure projects in Asia and promote regional economic integration. The institution attracted around 50 prospective founding members and later grew to include over 100 members globally. Its establishment reflected a growing demand for infrastructure financing in Asia.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
West Asia
- Outbreak of the Syrian Civil War
In March 2011, large-scale anti-government protests demanding democratic reforms broke out in Syria as part of the Arab Spring. The Assad regime's lethal crackdown led to the formation of armed opposition groups, turning the uprising into a civil war. The conflict lasted nearly 14 years until the regime's fall in December 2024.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
South Asia
- 2014 Thai coup d'état
On 22 May 2014, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army, launched a coup d'état against the caretaker government. The military seized power and established the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to govern. This was Thailand's 12th coup since 1932, ending months of political crisis.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
North America
- War on Terror begins
The United States launched the global War on Terror in 2001, following the September 11 attacks, a military campaign spanning multiple theaters.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Central Asian steppe
- Launch of the Belt and Road Initiative
In 2013, the Chinese government launched the Belt and Road Initiative, an infrastructure and economic development strategy to connect Asia, Europe, Africa, and beyond. The initiative comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, evoking the historic trade routes. It has since involved agreements with numerous countries and organizations for global connectivity projects.
SourcesWikipedia ↗