Today in Soap Opera History (September 21)

On this date in...

1939: Radio station WJSV in Washington, D.C. recorded their entire broadcast day. From 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. the following day a "time capsule" was created for posterity. Of important note is Franklin D. Roosevelt's speech to Congress encouraging repeal of the U.S. Neutrality Law. There were a number of soaps as well (OUR GAL SUNDAY, THE ROMANCE OF HELEN TRENT) and you can listen to HILLTOP HOUSE here.

1976: On ANOTHER WORLD, Pat was disgusted when John brought up saving her from a murder charge in the past.

1979: John Ross Ewing III first appeared on DALLAS in the episode titled "Whatever Happened to Baby John?, Part 1."  Sue Ellen returned to Southfork and neglected returning to Dallas to visit John Ross, much to the chagrin of the rest of the family. Bobby took it upon himself to run interference for J.R. when Cliff continued poking around the hospital.

1981: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Luke (Anthony Geary) finally figured out the correct password to the weather machine saving Port Charles...and the world!



2006: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Jack and Jennifer left for England.



2011: On ALL MY CHILDREN, the Martin family reflected on the past.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Larry Hagman (J.R. DALLAS; ex-Curt, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW; ex-Ed, THE EDGE OF NIGHT) - 81
Stephen King (Writer, HAVEN) - 65
Gregory Mortensen (ex-Paul, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Dale, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 57
David James Elliott (ex-Ripp, GOOD CHRISTIAN BELLES; ex-Terry, MELROSE PLACE) - 52
Susan Batten (ex-Connor, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Luna, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 51
Rob Morrow (ex-Joel, NORTHERN EXPOSURE) - 50
Jason MacDonald (ex-Young Larry/Principal Fletcher, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Bailiff Evans/Chip, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Minister, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Harry, GUIDING LIGHT) - 46
Billy Porter (ex-Billy, ANOTHER WORLD) - 43
Bradford Anderson (Spinelli, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 34
Scott Evans (ex-Oliver, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Trey, GUIDING LIGHT) - 29
Maggie Grace (ex-Shannon, LOST) - 29

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a piece of soap opera history for this daily column, please email it to [email protected].