In the words of Don Fisher, Gap Inc. Founder and Chairman Emeritus: “I created Gap with a simple idea: to make it easier to find a pair of jeans. We remain committed to that basic principle”. In 1969, Doris and Don Fisher opened the first Gap store in San Francisco with the goal of creating a store experience that was easy for the customer and offered a wide selection of fits and styles. 1970- Sales reach $2 million. Gap's second store opens in San Jose, Calif. 1974- Gap's "fall into the Gap" advertising campaign debuts. 1976-Gap goes public, offering 1.2 million shares of stock on the New York and Pacific Stock Exchanges. 1977-Gap Foundation — Gap Inc.'s nonprofit charitable arm — is established. 1983-Millard ("Mickey") Drexler joins the company as President and COO of the Gap division. Gap Inc. acquires Banana Republic — then a two-store safari and travel clothing company. 1986-The first gap kids store opens in San Mateo California. 1987-The The first Gap store outside the United States opens in London, England, on George Street. Gap Inc. annual sales reach $1 billion. 1988-Gap introduces its award-winning "Individuals of Style" advertising campaign. 1989-The first Gap store in Canada opens in Vancouver, British Columbia. 1990-The baby Gap line is born, debuting in the Gap Kids store in San Francisco, Calif. 1992-Gap becomes the second-largest selling apparel brand in the world. 1993-Gap enters France with a "store" within the Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris. 1994-Old Navy opens its first store in Colma, Calif. Gap Outlet stores open their doors as part of the new Gap Factory Outlet division. 1995-Millard Drexler is named President and CEO of Gap Inc., succeeding founder and Chairman Donald Fisher. The first Banana Republic store outside the U.S. opens in Canada. 1996-Gap opens its 20,000 square foot flagship store in the Shibuya shopping district in Tokyo. 1997-Old Navy sets a retail record, reaching $1 billion in annual sales in less than four years of operation. Gap opens its Online Store at gap.com. Gap Inc. is named "Marketer of the Year" by Advertising Age Magazine. 1998-Gap opens its first store in Alaska, now operating in all 50 states. Banana Republic surpasses the $1 billion mark in annual sales. Gap Inc. launches its formal ethics code, the Code of Business Conduct. 1999-BananaRepublic.com launches. 2000-Oldnavy.com launches. Gap launches its Gap Maternity collection on gap.com. 2001-Old Navy makes its debut outside the United States, opening 12 stores in Canada. Banana Republic launches petite sizes online. 2002-Paul Pressler is named Gap Inc. President and CEO. Millard Drexler retires after 19 years of service. 2003-Gap Inc. Founder Don Fisher announces decision to step down as Chairman of the Board. 2004-Bob Fisher is named Gap Inc. Chairman of the Board. Gap Inc. issues its first Social Responsibility Report. 2005-Gap Inc. relaunches gap.com, BananaRepublic.com and oldnavy.com. The first Banana Republic stores in Japan open in Tokyo and Yokohama. Gapinc.com is honored with a WebAward by the Web Marketing Association. 2006-Gap Inc. launches its first online-only brand, Piperlime. Gap Inc. expands its global presence with the first Gap and Banana Republic franchise store locations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. 2007-Paul Pressler steps down and Bob Fisher assumes the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer. Glenn Murphy joins the company as Board of Directors Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Gap franchise stores open in new countries: United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Indonesia, Kuwait, Qatar, Korea, Oman, Turkey, Philippines, Riyadh and Saudi Arabia. The first Banana Republic franchise store opens in Bahrain, followed by stores in Indonesia, Kuwait, UAE, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea and Oman. The same passion and entrepreneurial spirit that the company was founded with more than 35 years ago continues to drive their ongoing growth.