Timeline July 2014

Events in July 2014 18

• 1917 – 2014 Louis Zamperini (1917-2014) Died 2 July 2014, aged 97 Louis Zamperini, the Olympic runner and World War II airman whose survival as a Japanese prisoner of war was chronicled in the book and film "Unbroken," died in California. He survived 47 days adrift at sea after his bomber crashed before enduring brutal captivity. His story became a symbol of endurance and forgiveness.
• 1923 – 2014 Nadine Gordimer (1923-2014) Died 13 July 2014, aged 90 Nadine Gordimer, the South African novelist and Nobel laureate who chronicled the moral struggles of apartheid, died in Johannesburg. Several of her books were banned by the apartheid government during her lifetime. She remained an outspoken political and social commentator after the end of apartheid.
• 1925 – 2014 Elaine Stritch (1925-2014) Died 17 July 2014, aged 89 Elaine Stritch, the brash Broadway actress and singer known for her performance of "The Ladies Who Lunch" in Stephen Sondheim's "Company," died in Michigan. She won a Tony and multiple Emmy Awards over a career spanning seven decades. Her one-woman shows became celebrated late-career highlights.
• 1926 – 2014 Alfredo Di Stéfano The Blonde Arrow The engine of Real Madrid's five consecutive European Cup titles in the 1950s.
• 1928 – 2014 Eduard Shevardnadze (1928-2014) Died 7 July 2014, aged 86 Eduard Shevardnadze, the Soviet foreign minister under Mikhail Gorbachev who later served as president of independent Georgia, died in Tbilisi. As foreign minister he was a key architect of the end of the Cold War. He was ousted as Georgian president in the 2003 Rose Revolution.
• 1928 – 2014 James Garner (1928-2014) Died 19 July 2014, aged 86 James Garner, the American actor known for the television series "Maverick" and "The Rockford Files" and films including "The Great Escape," died in Los Angeles. He was known for his affable, wisecracking screen persona. His career spanned television and film for over five decades.
• 2014 2014 FIFA World Cup German Dominance Germany became the first European team to win a World Cup in the Americas. Winner: Germany.
• 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Germany defeats Brazil 7-1 in semi-final The 2014 FIFA World Cup was held in Brazil. Germany humiliated host nation Brazil 7-1 in the semi-final before beating Argentina 1-0 in the final to win their fourth World Cup.
• 2014 Wimbledon 2014 Men: Novak Djokovic · Women: Petra Kvitová Kvitová's second title.
• 2014 Israel-Gaza war (Operation Protective Edge) Seven-week conflict between Israel and Hamas Israel 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.
• 2014 Joko Widodo elected President of Indonesia Former furniture businessman becomes first Indonesian leader from outside elite Joko Widodo, the governor of Jakarta and a former furniture exporter, won Indonesia's presidential election, becoming the first president without ties to the military or political elite. His victory was seen as a milestone for Indonesian democracy. He took office in October 2014.
• 2014 Returns to Cleveland LeBron announces in a Sports Illustrated letter ("I'm Coming Home") that he is leaving Miami to return to the Cavaliers, citing his desire to bring a championship to Northeast Ohio.
• 2014 Coming out -- the Parkinson interview, July 2014 On 13 July 2014, in a television interview with British talk-show host Michael Parkinson broadcast on Australia's Channel 10, Ian Thorpe publicly confirms for the first time that he is gay. He is 31 years old. The interview is one of the most watched television events in Australian sporting history. Thorpe explains the long denial: he was first asked about his sexuality by a journalist when he was a teenager, too young to know his own answer; he said he was straight to avoid teasing from classmates; the lie then became too large to correct without appearing to have lied about everything. "I felt the lie had become so big that I didn't want people to question my integrity," he says. "I'm comfortable saying I'm a gay man." He adds that he wishes he had come out sooner.
• 2014 Death of Eric Garner in police custody Chokehold death in New York becomes a rallying point against police brutality Eric Garner died after a New York City police officer placed him in a chokehold during an arrest for selling loose cigarettes. His last words, "I can't breathe," became a protest slogan. A grand jury declined to indict the officer, prompting nationwide demonstrations.
• 2014 Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 shot down over Ukraine Passenger jet destroyed amid the Donbas war Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down by a surface-to-air missile while flying over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. Investigators later concluded the missile was fired from territory held by Russian-backed separatists. The incident sharply escalated international tension over the conflict in Ukraine.
• 2014 Glasgow hosts the Commonwealth Games Scotland stages the 20th Commonwealth Games Glasgow 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.
• 2014 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge goes viral Social media campaign raises over $100 million for ALS research A 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.
• 2014 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers release Hypnotic Eye First number one album Their first album to top the Billboard 200.