Photos of the week: 8/18 - 8/25

One of the biggest stories from the past week has been the ongoing controversy over Confederate monuments that still remain across the nation in the wake of recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. Many protests were held in several states in an effort to have the symbols removed.

On Monday, a total solar eclipse crossed the United States for the first time since 1979. Citizens turned out in droves with their protective glasses to watch the historic event, which won't occur again until 2024.

The world also continued to mourn the lives lost in a terrorist attack in Barcelona, Spain, late last week.

Click through the slideshow above to see photos from all of these events and more, and be sure to check back next weekend for our selection of the best photography from the coming seven days.