1981

121 deaths

The advent of a disease first called "gay cancer," later named GRID (Gay Related Immuno Deficiency) was reported.

1982

447 deaths

Institut Pasteur discovered HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the virus that leads to AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome)

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that GRID may be transmitted through sexual contact or exposure to contaminated blood.

1983

1,476 deaths

CDC documented transmission of AIDS from heterosexual sex

American Red Cross warned high-risk donors not to donate blood.

1984

3,504 deaths

Genetic variations of the HIV virus were found, which complicate vaccine development.

A study found that Nonoxyl-9 effectively kills the HIV virus, but was suppressed for months by CDC.

1985

6,854 deaths

The first International Conference on AIDS was held in Atlanta.

Ryan White, a 13-year old hemphiliac who contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion, was barred from attending school. He and his mother brought a discrimination case against Indiana school officials, but the community's fears could not be allayed. The White family moved and were embraced by a town of supportive people.

CDC issued a warning to heterosexuals about the risk of contracting AIDS.

1986

11,932 deaths

U.S. Surgeon General Everett Koop published a report on AIDS, urging sex education as a means of prevention.

1987

16,098 deaths

The first anti-HIV drug was approved by FDA.

The U.S. instituted a policy barring HIV-infected travelers and immigrants.

The AIDS Memorial Quilt was started in San Francisco.

1988

20,786 deaths

The U.S. government mailed 107 million copies of a booklet entitled, "Understanding AIDS," to American homes

1989

27,408 deaths

2 years of intense protest by AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP), led the drug company, Burroughs Wellcome to lower the price of AZT.

1990

31,120 deaths

Former president, Ronald Reagan, apologized for his neglect of the epidemic during his term.

Ryan White died.

1991

36,175 deaths

10 million people worldwide were HIV-positive, a million of whom were in the U.S.

Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers basketball star, announced he was HIV-positive.

1992

40,587 deaths

FDA began "accelerated approval" of drugs to combat HIV.

1993

43,769 deaths

CDC updated its definition of AIDS to include new opportunistic infections.

1994

47,663 deaths

A Benetton ad depicted Ronald Reagan with Kaposi Sarcoma (a rare cancer contracted by many with AIDS) lesions.

1995

47,280 deaths

Greg Louganis, an Olympic diving medalist, revealed that he has AIDS.

1996

33,510 deaths

Time Magazine's Man Of The Year was Dr. David Ho, an AIDS-cure researcher.

1997

Worldwide estimate: 6.5 million deaths

The number of HIV-positive people worldwide was estimated at 22,000,000, more than the population of Australia.

CDC's term, "estimated AIDS OIs," characterized the expected dates for development of Opportunistic Infections (OIs) in people with AIDS. CDC observed slight increases of OIs among women, Blacks, and Hispanics.

CDC estimated that 1 in 300 Americans is HIV-positive.

1998

April 24th, CDC reported on a study that examined the results of tests done at health clinics and medical centers and found that the rates of HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) infection are much higher compared to previously held estimates of AIDS cases. Formerly, researchers projected the number of new infections by counting the number of people newly diagnosed with AIDS but, in recent years, time elapsed between infection and onset of disease has been extended, making that method inaccurate.

(Deaths reported based upon Center for Disease Control Statistics for U.S.)