Here's Your Quick Recap of the Biggest Moments From the 2014 State of the Union

Impact

The 2014 State of the Union has come to a close and while it might not leave you with the warm and fuzzies, Tuesday night did offer a few exciting moments that offer a window into the trajectory of American politics and policy over the coming year.

One of the biggest moments of the night was when Obama spoke out aggressively about the need for equal pay for equal work for women. In short, this was the quote of the night.

Another major plot line in the address, and in the GOP and Tea Party rebuttals that followed, was Obama's use of executive orders to take significant action without approval from Congress. Here's a look at the number of executive orders Obama has used, compared to past presidents.

The minimum wage increase that Obama said he will sign into effect, raising it to $10.10 for workers for federal contractors, will likely drive the headlines for days to come. He also called on Congress to follow suit. Here's a look at the Republicans who supported a minimum wage increase under Bush, but won't under Obama. 

On Wednesday, we'll be featuring a number of pieces, from conservative, liberal and other perspectives, that put the events of Tuesday night in larger context. Stay tuned.