Watch CBS News
Sunday Morning

​A look back: The top stories of 2014

/ CBS News

Charles Osgood reviews some of the most memorable stories of the year, from anti-Russian protests in Ukraine in January, to President Obama's announcement this month of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba after more than 50 years
Stories to remember from 2014 02:51

As we come to the end of 2014, Charles Osgood offers us some of the stories we'll remember...


January brought the first death in anti-Russian protests in Ukraine. Those protests ultimately led to the Russian invasion of Crimea - and what some are calling a new cold war with the United States.


In February, 15,000,000 viewers watched Jay Leno end 22 years as host of "The Tonight Show."


We'll remember March as the month that saw the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 with 239 people traveling from Kuala Lampur to Beijing.


In April, more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists - most never to be seen again.


May brought a homecoming for U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who'd been held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan for five years.


In June, House Republican Leader Eric Cantor lost his primary race to conservative David Brat, bringing an apparent end to Cantor's 13-year political career.


Basketball star LeBron James left the Heat in Miami to return to his home state Cleveland Cavaliers in July.

ferguson-081114-453505322-620.jpg
Police force protesters from the Ferguson, Mo., business district into nearby neighborhoods on August 11, 2014. As residents and their supporters protested the shooting by police of an unarmed black teenager, Michael Brown, law enforcement responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. Scott Olson/Getty Images

In August, the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a white police officer in Ferguson, Mo., led to protests that continue to this day.


George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin's wedding
George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin's wedding 28 photos
George Clooney said yes to Amal Alamuddin in Venice in September, while Scotland said NO to independence from Britain.


October brought the first death from Ebola in the United States when Liberian Thomas Duncan died at a Dallas hospital.


Republicans will remember November as the month midterm elections gave them control of both the House and the Senate.


And December is the month President Obama announced the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba after more than 50 years.

First published on December 28, 2014 / 9:22 AM EST

© 2014 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.