This past year the world has experienced a plethora of different and significant historical events. Here are some of the most notable images and videos of 2014. Whether they are in the name of progress, tragedy or pop culture, they have all made an impact on the world today and have started a conversation. 

1. Emma Watson proved how influential a celebrities voice can be when she stunned the world with her speech to the UN on gender equality and the HeForShe campaign

Watch the full video here: Emma Watson UN Speech

2. The Ice Bucket Challenge goes viral, spreads the word about ALS and raises more than 100 million dollars

3. Malala Yousafzai wins the Nobel Peace Prize for her work protecting children from slavery, child labor and extremism, becoming the youngest person in history to receive the prestigious award

4. Eric Garner's wife rejects condolences after the grand jury decision not to indict the NYPD officer involved in her husbands death5. Ellen's star studded selfie from the Academy Awards reaches over 2 million retweets, making her the world record holder for most retweets

6. A photo of a young protestor and a police officer embracing at a Ferguson rally in Portland, Ore. warms hearts across the nation and has been titled "The Hug Heard Around the World"

7. Bone chilling photos chronicle a day in the life of an Ebola burial team in Liberia and shed light on the outbreak in West Africa
Read the full article here: Following an Ebola Burial Team in Liberia (PHOTOS)

8. UCSB students mourn the loss of their peers killed earlier this year in the Isla Vista shooting 

9. Brittany Maynard chooses "Death with Dignity" in the face of terminal cancer and sparks a nationwide debate on euthanasia 

10. Laverne Cox is dubbed the face of the "next civil rights frontier" when she becomes the first transgender woman to be on the cover of TIME magazine

Read more here: Laverne Cox Talks to TIME About Transgender Movement

Although it is impossible to sum up an entire year in just ten images, these moments are just a snapshot of all the groundbreaking, heartwarming, and conversation starting events that have occurred in the past 12 months. 2014 has been a year full of controversy, loss, and most importantly progress. After looking at these photos one can only wonder what 2015 has in store and what other historical events we will have the opportunity to witness.