Timeline of AIDS History The AIDS Timeline covers major moments in the history of AIDS. For a more detailed look, read the articles in full below, or search for AIDS Timeline in this archive.
1981 An alarming increase in the reports Kaposi's sarcoma and Pneumocystis in gay men is announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Read Article 2 deadly diseases strike homosexuals Syracuse Herald Journal, August 29, 1981 1982 The CDC adds hemophiliacs to homosexuals, intravenous drug users and Haitian immigrants as groups "at risk" to acquire AIDS. Read Article CDC probes infection The Chronicle Telegram, July 16, 1982 1983 French scientists at The Pasteur Institute discover the HIV virus. Read Article Researchers link retrovirus to AIDS Syracuse Herald Journal, August 26, 1983 1984 A group of International researchers collect growing evidence that the "French virus," is the long sought cause of AIDS. Read Article Evidence grows that new virus cause of AIDS The Frederick Post, April 20, 1984 The National Cancer Institute announces that Dr. Robert Gallo has discovered the "probable cause of AIDS." Read Article 'Probable cause' found of immunity disease The Daily Intelligencer, April 24, 1984 1985 President Ronald Reagan makes his first public statements regarding the AIDS epidemic. Read Article Both Sides Deserve Sympathy In AIDS Debate, Reagan Says The Post Standard, September 18, 1985 Actor Rock Hudson becomes the first celebrity whose death is attributed to AIDS. Read Article (pictured on right) Rock's legacy 'a cure for AIDS' The Daily Herald, October 3, 1985 1986 Surgeon General C. Everett Koop issues a report on AIDS which calls for sex education for all students. Read Article Surgeon general recommends ways to reduce AIDS risk The Frederick Post, October 23, 1986 1987 President Ronald Reagan labels AIDS "public health enemy No. 1". Read Article (pictured on right) Reagan says AIDS top enemy The Daily Intelligencer, April 2, 1987 Clifford and Louise Ray testify before the Senate about the hysteria caused by the discovery of AIDS in their three sons. Read Article One Family's Tale of AIDS Hysteria The Post Standard, September 12, 1987 1990 Teenage AIDS activist and victim Ryan White dies at the age of 19. Read Article (pictured on right) He made a difference The Chronicle Telegram, April 9, 1990 President Bush signs the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act into law. Read Article President signs AIDS bill The Intelligencer, August 19, 1990 1991 Basketball superstar Magic Johnson retires after he tests positive for the HIV virus. Read Article (pictured on right) News on Magic stuns a nation The Daily Herald, November 8 , 1991 Freddy Mercury, singer for the band Queen, dies only days after he discloses that he has AIDS. Read Article Days after Disclosure, Freddy Mercury Dies The Post Standard, November 25, 1991 1993 Tennis star Arthur Ashe, infectected through a blood transfusion in 1983, dies of AIDS-related pneumonia. Read Article (pictured on right) A loss for mankind: Ashe dies The Intelligencer, February 7, 1993 1995 Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis reveals that he was diagnosed with AIDS in 1988, prior to the Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea. Read Article Greg Louganis discusses AIDS The Gettysburg Times, February 23, 1995 Saquinavir is approved for use in the US. This is the first protease inhibitor approved by the FDA. Read Article New drugs give patients weapon against AIDS North Hills News Record, September 6, 1995 1997 Research reveals the possibility that AIDS can be spread through kissing. Read Article AIDS-related virus can possibly spread through kissing The Capital, November 9, 1997 1998 Congresswoman Maxine Waters calls for a response to the rising incidences of AIDS in the African-American community. Read Article Caucus wants AIDS grants to target African Americans Syracuse Herald Journal, May 12, 1998 2001 The United Nations establishes a "blueprint" for dealing with the global AIDS epidemic. Read Article (pictured on right) United Nations adopts blueprint to battle AIDS The Intelligencer, June 28, 2001 2003 The AIDS epidemic in Africa hits staggering proportions. It is reported that 38% of the adult population in Botswana has AIDS. Read Article (pictured on right) On the Edge of Extinction The Post Standard, July 10, 2003 2004 AIDS activist fight the Chinese government to uncover the AIDS epidemic in China. Read Article (pictured on right) Hidden epidemic in China The Chronicle Telegram, September 14, 2004 2005 Former South African President Nelson Mandela announces that his son died of AIDS, breaking the cultural silence surrounding AIDS in Africa. Read Article On AIDS, silence is not an option The Chronicle Telegram, January 11, 2005		Newspaper Articles (click to view readable full images) The Daily Herald October 3, 1985 The Daily Intelligencer April 2, 1987 The Chronicle Telegram April 9, 1990 The Daily Herald November 8, 1991 The Intelligencer February 7, 1993 The Intelligencer June 28, 2001 The Post Standard July 10, 2003 The Chronicle Telegram September 14, 2004