graph show actions of users with date

hi,

if I have dataset consist of users, those users have actions between 1-9-1997 to 1-9-2009.

My work require to divide this period into three sub_periods, so get:

          first period from 1-9-1997 to 1-9-2001

          second period  from 2-9-2001 to 1-9-2005

          third period from 2-9-2005 to 1-9-2009

some users have actions in first period , some others have actions in secnd period, and other in third period.

Of course these three periods have common users.

What I need is get graph show me the date in axis x and id's of users in axis y. in fact I want show users who have actions in the three periods graphically

how do that?

thanks in advance