Modern Era · North America · Disaster

1981

AIDS first reported

June 5, 1981

The CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report described five unusual pneumonia cases in Los Angeles, all in young gay men. The disease did not yet have a name. Within a decade it would kill tens of thousands of Americans a year and become a global pandemic. A new and terrifying word entered medicine.

More from 1981 Modern Era

In context

Also in 1981 (6 other events on record)

IBM PC launches · North America · Technology
Sadat assassinated · Middle East · Politics
Reagan shot · North America · Politics
Pope shot in St. Peter's Square · Europe · Religion
Iran hostages released · Middle East · Politics
Charles and Diana wed · Europe · Culture

Before and after in North America

Before: December 8, 1980: John Lennon shot
After: October 25, 1983: US invades Grenada

Before and after in Disaster

Before: May 18, 1980: Mount St. Helens erupts
After: September 1, 1983: KAL 007 shot down

Era

Modern Era (1901–2000), one of 590 events from that era on Saeculum.