1979, last case of polio caused by “wild” virus in U.S.; last case of smallpox in the world.
1980s, post-polio syndrome identified by physicians and people who had polio.
1980, the first National Immunization Day for polio held in Brazil.
1981, poliovirus genome sequence published.
1985, Rotary International launches PolioPlus program.
1988, Rotary International, PanAmerican Health Organization, World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, UNICEF begin international campaign to stop transmission of polio everywhere in the world.
1990, Passage of the Americans with Disabilitites Act (ADA), providing broad legal protections for people with disabilities.
1999, inactivated polio vaccine replaces oral polio vaccince as recommended method of polio immunization in the United States.