1) 1981- Cases of unusual immune deficiency identified in USA
2) 1982- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) defined for the first time
3) 1983-The Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) identified as the cause of AIDS
4) 1983-In Africa, a heterosexual AIDS epidemic is revealed
5) 1985-The first HIV antibody test becomes available
6) 1987-The WHO launches the Global AIDS Programme
7) 1988-The first therapy for AIDS – zidovudine, or AZT approved for use in the USA
8) 1994- Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment launched
9) 1996- First treatment regimen to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV
10) 1997-Brazil becomes the first developing country to provide antiretroviral therapy through its public health system
11) 2001-Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria launched 2003-Launch of "3 BY 5" initiative -goal of reaching 3 million people in developing world with ART by 2005