2014: The Year in Photos, January – April – In Focus – The Atlantic

As the year comes to a close, it’s time to take a look back at some of the most memorable events and images of 2014. Among the events covered in this essay (the first of a three-part photo summary of the year): Protests that drove Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych from office, the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, multiple protests worldwide, Ellen DeGeneres’ much-retweeted selfie from the Oscars, the ongoing and brutal situation in war-torn Syria, the opening of the largest solar thermal power-tower system in the world, and a playful rocket battle in Vrontados, Greece. Come back for part 2 tomorrow, and part 3 on Wednesday. The series will total 120 images in all. Warning, some of the photos may contain graphic or objectionable content. [40 photos]