2004

SEPTEMBER: ABC begins marketing the show with “Everyone Has a Little Dirty Laundry” dry cleaning bag promotion.

OCTOBER: Drawing an average audience of 21.6 million viewers and an 8.9 rating/21 share among adults 18-49, the series debut of “Housewives” attracted the largest audience for any ABC series debut in eight years and was its most watched drama debut in 11 years.

- After only three episodes, Desperate Housewives is picked up for a full season.

JANUARY 2005: “Housewives” becomes the best launch of a new drama series on Channel 4 in the U.K. in 10 years.

MARCH: Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria and Nicolette Sheridan grace five different covers of Entertainment Weekly.

MAY: “Housewives” ends the season as No. 1 program on Sunday night in total viewers and adults 18-49, and was No. 1 new series of the season.

SEPTEMBER: Huffman wins the Emmy as lead actress in a comedy.

- Second-season premiere draws 28.4 million viewers (12.3 rating/26 share in adults 18-49). It’s the strongest fall season premiere in nine years for ABC.

2006

JANUARY: “Housewives” wins the Golden Globe for best comedy series.

FEBRUARY: “Housewives” wins SAG Award for best comedy ensemble.

2007

SEPTEMBER: Season-four premiere easily wins the 9 p.m. timeslot, drawing its top audience in nearly a year and defeating CBS’ “Cold Case” and NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” in total viewers and in the 18-49 demo.

2008

JANUARY: “Amas de Casa Desesperadas” premieres on Univision. This version was later sold to Mexico on TV Azteca.

MAY: For the fourth straight season, “Housewives” stands as Sunday’s No. 1 TV series in total viewers and adults 18-49. 

SEPTEMBER: The fifth season premieres, transporting the ladies of Wisteria Lane five years into the future.

- Kathryn Joosten wins her second Emmy for outstanding guest actress.

NOVEMBER: ABC.com’s Wisteria Lane Virtual Tour earns 213,130 page views and 180,124 daily uniques.