Dashed left edge = started before August 2014 ·
Dashed right edge = ongoing beyond August 2014
Events in August 2014 10
1923 – 2014Richard Attenborough (1923-2014)Died 24 August 2014, aged 90Richard Attenborough, the British actor and director who won two Academy Awards for directing "Gandhi," died in England. He also acted in films including "Jurassic Park" and "The Great Escape." He was a prominent figure in British cinema for over six decades.
1924 – 2014Lauren Bacall (1924-2014)Died 12 August 2014, aged 89Lauren Bacall, the sultry-voiced Hollywood star known for "To Have and Have Not" and her marriage to Humphrey Bogart, died in New York. She won an honorary Academy Award in 2009 for her body of work. She remained active in film and theater throughout her long career.
1951 – 2014Robin Williams (1951-2014)Died 11 August 2014, aged 63Robin Williams, the Oscar-winning actor and comedian known for "Good Will Hunting," "Mrs. Doubtfire" and his frenetic stand-up comedy, died by suicide at his home in California. He had been suffering from severe depression and an undiagnosed form of dementia. His death prompted widespread public conversation about mental health and depression.
2014Israel-Gaza war (Operation Protective Edge)Seven-week conflict between Israel and HamasIsrael launched a military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip following rocket fire and the killing of three Israeli teenagers. The fighting killed over 2,000 Palestinians and more than 70 Israelis before a ceasefire took hold in late August. It was the deadliest round of Israeli-Palestinian violence in years.
2014Glasgow hosts the Commonwealth GamesScotland stages the 20th Commonwealth GamesGlasgow hosted the Commonwealth Games, drawing athletes from 71 nations and territories just weeks before Scotland's independence referendum. The games were widely regarded as well organized and boosted the city's profile. England topped the medal table.
2014ALS Ice Bucket Challenge goes viralSocial media campaign raises over $100 million for ALS researchA viral social media challenge in which participants poured buckets of ice water over their heads and nominated others swept the globe, raising over $100 million for the ALS Association. Celebrities, politicians and ordinary users widely participated. The campaign is credited with funding significant advances in ALS research.
2014US Open 2014Men: Marin Čilić · Women: Serena Williams
2014Guardians of the GalaxyMarvel surprise hit — $774m worldwideDirected by James Gunn. A group of intergalactic criminals must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior from acquiring a dangerous power.
2014Ferguson unrest following shooting of Michael BrownPolice killing of unarmed Black teenager sparks nationwide protestsThe fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, set off weeks of protests and rioting. A grand jury's decision not to indict the officer in November triggered renewed unrest. The events fueled the growing Black Lives Matter movement.
2014Islamic State beheads journalist James FoleyKilling of American hostage broadcast in propaganda videoThe Islamic State released a video showing the beheading of American journalist James Foley, who had been kidnapped in Syria in 2012. The killing, and subsequent videos of other hostages, galvanized international outrage and support for military action against the group. It marked a turning point in Western public opinion on intervening against ISIS.