Major Events of August 2014: Key Historical Moments from the Month
Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from August 2014 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of August 2014: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Aug 2014 Gaza cease-fire breakdown: On August 1, 2014, a temporary cease-fire in the Gaza conflict broke down, leading to renewed hostilities between Israel and Hamas. The cease-fire had been intended to allow for humanitarian aid but was violated shortly after it began. source: bbc.com
- 02 Aug 2014 Israeli soldier killed in Gaza conflict: On August 2, 2014, an Israeli soldier was killed during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This incident occurred amid heavy fighting and was part of the larger military operation launched by Israel in response to Hamas rocket fire. source: bbc.com
- 03 Aug 2014 Israeli airstrike on UN school in Gaza: On August 3, 2014, an Israeli airstrike hit a UN school in Gaza, resulting in numerous casualties. The school was being used as a shelter for displaced persons during the ongoing conflict, raising international condemnation. source: bbc.com
- 04 Aug 2014 Islamic State advances in Kurdish Iraq: On August 4, 2014, the Islamic State made significant advances in Kurdish Iraq, threatening the stability of the region. This escalation prompted international concern and calls for intervention to protect Kurdish forces and civilians. source: bbc.com
- 05 Aug 2014 Becky Hammon becomes first female full-time NBA coach: On August 5, 2014, the San Antonio Spurs hired Becky Hammon as an assistant coach, making her the first full-time, paid female assistant in NBA history. Hammon, a six-time WNBA All-Star, retired from the WNBA to join the Spurs' coaching staff. source: time.com
- 06 Aug 2014 Ebola virus disease update - West Africa: Between August 2 and 4, 2014, a total of 108 new cases of Ebola virus disease, as well as 45 deaths, were reported from Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. source: who.int
- 07 Aug 2014 Khmer Rouge leaders convicted of crimes against humanity: On August 7, 2014, Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan, senior leaders of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime, were convicted by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) for crimes against humanity, including extermination and political persecution. Both received life sentences. This trial addressed atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge's rule from 1975 to 1979, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1.7 million people. source: washingtonpost.com
- 08 Aug 2014 U.S. conducts airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq: On August 8, 2014, the United States initiated airstrikes against ISIS positions in Iraq. This military action aimed to protect Iraqi civilians and religious minorities, particularly the Yazidis, from ISIS advances. The airstrikes marked a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement in Iraq during the conflict. source: washingtonpost.com
- 09 Aug 2014 Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson: On August 9, 2014, Michael Brown, an unarmed Black teenager, was fatally shot by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. This incident sparked widespread protests and national debates over police practices and racial discrimination in the United States. source: washingtonpost.com
- 10 Aug 2014 Iraq conflict: Kurdish appeal for international support: On August 10, 2014, Kurdish leaders appealed for international assistance to combat ISIS militants advancing in northern Iraq. They sought military and humanitarian aid to protect civilians and counter the growing threat posed by ISIS. source: washingtonpost.com
- 11 Aug 2014 Israel-Gaza Conflict Ceasefire: On August 11, 2014, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire, temporarily halting hostilities in the Gaza Strip. This agreement aimed to provide relief to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict. source: aljazeera.com
- 12 Aug 2014 2014 West Africa Ebola Outbreak Escalates: By August 12, 2014, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa had intensified, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting a significant increase in cases and deaths across Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. source: who.int
- 13 Aug 2014 Ferguson Protests Erupt After Michael Brown Shooting: On August 13, 2014, protests erupted in Ferguson, Missouri, following the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, by a police officer, leading to widespread demonstrations and national attention. source: nytimes.com
- 14 Aug 2014 UN declares highest emergency level in Iraq amid ISIS advances: The United Nations declared a Level 3 emergency in Iraq due to the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis caused by ISIS advances. This declaration aimed to mobilize international support and resources to address the urgent needs of displaced populations. source: un.org
- 15 Aug 2014 Ferguson protests: Highway patrol takes over: In response to ongoing protests in Ferguson, Missouri, the state highway patrol took over security duties from local police. This change aimed to de-escalate tensions and restore order in the community following the shooting of Michael Brown. source: nytimes.com
- 16 Aug 2014 Ukrainian forces retake Zhdanivka: Ukrainian military forces successfully retook the town of Zhdanivka from separatist control. This operation was part of a broader effort to regain territory in eastern Ukraine amid ongoing conflict. source: reuters.com
- 17 Aug 2014 Michael Brown autopsy reveals multiple gunshot wounds: An autopsy report revealed that Michael Brown sustained multiple gunshot wounds during the incident in Ferguson. This finding contributed to the ongoing discussions about police use of force and civil rights. source: nytimes.com
- 18 Aug 2014 Missouri Governor deploys National Guard to Ferguson: On August 18, 2014, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon deployed the National Guard to Ferguson in response to escalating protests and unrest following the shooting of Michael Brown. source: nytimes.com
- 19 Aug 2014 James Wright Foley beheaded by ISIS: On August 19, 2014, ISIS released a video showing the beheading of American journalist James Wright Foley, who had been kidnapped in Syria in 2012. source: cnn.com
- 20 Aug 2014 Obama condemns James Foley's execution by ISIS: President Obama condemned the execution of journalist James Foley by ISIS, vowing to bring those responsible to justice and emphasizing the group's lack of ideology. source: washingtonpost.com
- 21 Aug 2014 Prayuth Chan-o-cha appointed Thailand's Prime Minister: General Prayuth Chan-o-cha was appointed Prime Minister of Thailand by the National Legislative Assembly, following a military coup earlier in the year. source: time.com
- 22 Aug 2014 Deadly Landslides in Hiroshima Prefecture: A catastrophic series of landslides struck Japan's Hiroshima Prefecture, resulting in 39 confirmed fatalities and 26 people still missing. The disaster highlighted the region's vulnerability to extreme weather and geological events.
- 23 Aug 2014 Boko Haram attacks Nigerian police training school: On August 23, 2014, Boko Haram militants attacked a police training school in Borno State, Nigeria, resulting in 35 police officers being declared missing. The attack was part of a series of assaults by the group in the region. source: 36ng.ng
- 24 Aug 2014 Turkey launches Operation Euphrates Shield in Syria: On August 24, 2014, Turkish forces, supported by Syrian rebels, initiated Operation Euphrates Shield by crossing into Syria to capture the town of Jarabulus from ISIS. This marked Turkey's first coordinated offensive into Syria, aiming to eliminate ISIS from the border area. source: foreignpolicy.com
- 25 Aug 2014 Russia recognizes Poroshenko as Ukraine's president: On August 25, 2014, Russia officially recognized Petro Poroshenko as the legitimate president of Ukraine. This move was seen as an attempt to stabilize relations amid the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. source: reuters.com
- 26 Aug 2014 Putin and Poroshenko meet in Minsk: On August 26, 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko met in Minsk, Belarus, to discuss the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. The meeting aimed to negotiate a ceasefire and address humanitarian concerns. source: reuters.com
- 27 Aug 2014 UN report accuses IS and Syrian government of war crimes: On August 27, 2014, a United Nations report accused both ISIS and the Syrian government of committing war crimes, including extrajudicial killings and torture, during the Syrian Civil War. source: reuters.com
- 28 Aug 2014 NATO confirms Russian troop presence in Ukraine: NATO's release of satellite images on August 28, 2014, provided concrete evidence of Russian combat troops inside Ukraine. These images depicted Russian self-propelled artillery units moving through Ukrainian territory, confirming Russia's military involvement in the conflict. source: nato.int
- 29 Aug 2014 Mount Tavurvur erupts in Papua New Guinea: On August 29, 2014, Mount Tavurvur, part of the Rabaul caldera near Rabaul in Papua New Guinea's East New Britain Province, erupted, causing significant ashfall and prompting evacuations. source: bbc.com
- 30 Aug 2014 Brazil election dynamics: On August 30, 2014, the political landscape in Brazil was marked by significant developments as the presidential election approached, with key candidates intensifying their campaigns and public debates. source: bbc.com
- 31 Aug 2014 China restricts Hong Kong electoral process: On August 31, 2014, China's National People's Congress Standing Committee decided that Hong Kong's Chief Executive candidates for the 2017 election must be nominated by a 1,200-member committee, effectively limiting the pool to pro-Beijing figures. This decision sparked widespread protests in Hong Kong, as it was seen as a setback for democratic reforms. source: dw.com