Deaths on May 4

Helga Königsdorf, German physicist and author (b. 1938)

Helga Königsdorf (13 July 1938 – 4 May 2014) was an East German author and physicist.

18 Mar

Treaty on the Adoption of the Republic of Crimea to Russia
The parliaments of Russia and Crimea sign an accession treaty.
21 Apr

Flint water crisis
The American city of Flint, Michigan switches its water source to the Flint River, beginning the ongoing Flint water crisis which has caused lead poisoning in up to 12,000 people, and 15 deaths from Legionnaires disease, ultimately leading to criminal indictments against 15 people, five of whom have been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
9 Aug

Shooting of Michael Brown
Michael Brown, an 18-year-old African American male in Ferguson, Missouri, was shot and killed by a Ferguson police officer after reportedly assaulting the officer and attempting to steal his weapon, sparking protests and unrest in the city.
18 Sep

Scottish independence referendum, 2014
Scotland votes against independence from the United Kingdom.
30 Oct

International recognition of the State of Palestine
Sweden is the first European Union member state to officially recognize the State of Palestine.