1981
<ul><li>Rumors of exotic new disease among gay men in <em>New York Native</em> </li>
<li>CDC reports 5 cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in Los Angeles </li>
<li>CDC reports 26 cases of Kaposi’s sarcoma in Los Angeles, New York City </li>
<li>Similar cases reported in injection drug users and heterosexual women </li>
<li>281 cases of AIDS reported, cumulative total</li>
</ul>
1982
<ul><li>AIDS service organizations founded in major cities</li>
<li>“GRID” (gay-related immune deficiency) and “AIDS” terms in use </li>
<li>3 cases in hemophiliacs reported </li>
<li>“Homosexuals” asked not to donate blood </li>
<li>AIDS connected to cases in Africa </li>
<li>413 cases of AIDS reported, cumulative total</li>
</ul>
1983
<ul><li>Drs. Luc Montagnier, Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and colleagues discover the viral cause</li>
<li>Denver Principles on the rights of people with AIDS </li>
<li>First candlelight vigils </li>
<li>Term “safe sex” in general use </li>
<li>3,064 cases of AIDS reported, cumulative total</li>
</ul>
1984
<ul><li>Dr. Robert Gallo and co-workers announce identification of the AIDS virus</li>
<li>Dr. Jay Levy and colleagues report isolation of the AIDS virus</li>
<li>Connecticut law permits quarantine of those thought a threat </li>
<li>7,699 cases of AIDS reported, cumulative total</li>
</ul>
1985
<ul><li>Ryan White barred from school in Indiana </li>
<li>Actor Rock Hudson dies </li>
<li>Antibody test approved </li>
<li>Blood bank screening begins </li>
<li>First International AIDS Conference, Atlanta </li>
<li>Needle safety efforts in New York City and New Jersey </li>
<li>HIV-2 variant isolated by Dr. Luc Montagnier </li>
<li>15,948 cases of AIDS reported, cumulative total</li>
</ul>
1986
<ul><li>First drug treatment—AZT—announced</li>
<li>U.S. surgeon general’s report</li>
<li><em>Bowers v. Hardwick</em> Supreme Court decision upholds Georgia sodomy law</li>
<li>Massive gay rights March on Washington</li>
<li>Military and Foreign Service begin mandatory HIV testing</li>
<li>29,003 cases of AIDS reported, cumulative total </li>
</ul>
1987
<ul><li>ACT UP organized, New York City</li>
<li>President Reagan’s first speech on HIV and AIDS</li>
<li>Helms Amendment bars federal funds for health information “promoting homosexuality”</li>
<li>Quilt displayed in Washington, D.C.</li>
<li>HIV and AIDS added to immigration restriction list</li>
<li>49,743 cases of AIDS reported; 28,149 deaths, cumulative totals</li>
</ul>