2014 was full of powerful moments both spectacular and devastating. We cheered for our countries in the Sochi Olympics and World Cup, came together as horrific weather conditions struck every part of the world, watched Ebola claim countless lives, and witnessed what felt like an endless stream of riots and protests both abroad and in our neighborhoods. We hope that this gallery of the most powerful photos of 2014 will help you remember all of the incredible, heartbreaking, life-changing and moving events that took place in the world this past year:
A Romanian Roma child. Roma children often live in deprived communities and face poverty levels that are four times higher than the national average. Source: TIME
Israeli soldiers fire tear gas at Palestinian protesters during a weekly demonstration. Source: TIME
A Palestinian girl in Gaza City, wielding a Kalashnikov rifle amid Islamic Jihad militants. Source: All That Is Interesting
12-year-old Thea pretends to marry 37-year-old Geir to draw attention to the issue of child brides. Source: Global Citizen
Zoo staff kill, skin, and dissect a healthy giraffe named Marius, and then feed him to the zoo’s lions. Source: Greanville Post
Sex workers in Mexico City wear skeleton masks to remember deceased colleagues. Sex workers are more likely to be victims of violence and other human-rights violations. Source: TIME
As an alleged robber and rapist, this man is stripped and dumped in a gutter in Africa. Source: Nana Kofi
Following Israeli airstrikes, Palestinians like this child face severe injuries and worse. Source: Daily Mail
Kim Jong Un plays with children at Taesongsan General Hospital in a photo released in May 2014. Source: TIME
A Kurdish woman runs from a water canyon after Turkish authorities temporarily closed the border. Source: TIME
Polluted, contaminated water flows through a river in Cangnan county of Wenzhou, Zhejiang province. Source: Business Insider
The mother of Abdolah Hosseinzadeh confront her son’s murderer before removing his noose and saving his life. Source: TIME
During a protest in Ferguson, Missouri, a man holds his hands up in remembrance of Michael Brown. Source: Pop Sugar
Wearing masks of Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, Greenpeace protesters demonstrate in Mexico City, Mexico. Source: TIME
If you enjoyed our collection of powerful photos, check out our other articles on interesting articles and shocking photos of pollution in China.
