Jimmy Fallon took over “The Tonight Show” from veteran 22-year host Jay Leno on Feb. 17, 2014, marking the end of an era in late night television. (Chris Haston / Associated Press)
Rep. Henry Waxman, 74, announced he will retire from the House of Representatives in 2014. Waxman’s tenure in Congress spanned 40 years. (Alex Wong / Getty Images)
The Los Angeles City Council’s ban on disposable plastic bags took effect in 2014, making the city the largest in the country to ban the bags. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
The popular sitcom ends March 31, 2014, revealing whether the story that Ted (Josh Radnor, right) is telling his kids has a happily ever after or not. (Ron P. Jaffe / Associated Press)
British-born host Piers Morgan’s CNN show, “Piers Morgan Live,” was canceled in late February. Low ratings doomed the show after just three years. (Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images)
RadioShack has struggled with low sales numbers, prompting the company to announce that it will close about 1,100 of its underperforming stores. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)
In March, the Los Angeles City Council banned smoking e-cigarettes in restaurants, parks and workplaces, treating “vaping” similarly to regular cigarette smoking. (Joe Klamar / AFP/Getty Images)
Country legend George Strait will end his decades-long career in 2014 with his “The Cowboy Rides Away” tour. (Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
As of the 2014 season, college football’s biggest honor will no longer be a BCS Championship. Division 1 teams will instead play in the College Football Playoff, which works on a bracket system rather than polls and rankings. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Motley Crue band members, from left, Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee and Mick Mars will end their reign as kings of metal with a final tour in 2014. (Richard Shotwell / Invision / Associated Press)
Office supply superstore Staples announced it would combat weak earnings by closing 225 locations in 2014. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images)
Barbara Walters on an ABC News set in New York in March. (Lou Rocco / Associated Press)
