Today in Soap Opera History (August 24)

1979: Laura wanted a job at the disco on GH. 1987: Lizzie wanted
answers on RYAN'S HOPE. 1989: Shannon lost her baby on
ATWT.  1994: Kendall was unhappy with Dimitri's news on AMC.

"Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times."
-Machiavelli

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1948: On radio soap opera CLAUDIA, Claudia (Katharine Bard) attended a baseball game.

1976: Rosemary Forsyth debuted as Laura Horton on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

1977: On ANOTHER WORLD, Mac (Douglass Watson) listened in through the intercom as Dave (David Ackroyd) told Pat (Beverly Penberthy) he had always been in love with Rachel. Mac shut off the intercom before Dave told her that Rachel still loved Mac. Dave left Bay City to live in Boston on the next episode.

1979: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Laura (Genie Francis) asked Luke (Anthony Geary) for a job at the campus disco. The episode opened with Richard Simmons' exercise class.



1979: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Sarah (Jenny Lyons) and Raven (Sharon Gabet) fought over Elliott.



1987: On SANTA BARBARA, Cruz (A Martinez) told Eden (Marcy Walker) they belonged together.



1987: On RYAN'S HOPE, Lizzie (Catherine Larson) confronted John Reid (Jason Adams) about his affair.



1989: On AS THE WORLD TURNS, Shannon (Margaret Reed) lost her baby.



1994: On ALL MY CHILDREN, Dimitri (Michael Nader) told Kendall (Sarah Michelle Gellar) her book would never be published.



1997: Actor Stanley Grover died at age 71. Grover played roles in SOMERSET, DARK SHADOWS, THE EDGE OF NIGHT and THE BEST OF EVERYTHING.

2007: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, the people of Genoa City testified for and against Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) at her sentencing hearing. Brad opened with: "Phyllis Newman is a menace." Next up on was Nikki who started by saying: "Phyllis Newman is a curse on my family." Neil and Lily also testified against her. Daniel and Nick testified for Phyllis.



2012: Actress Claire Malis, who played Dorian Lord on ONE LIFE TO LIVE from 1977-1979, died at age 69.

Celebrating a birthday today are:

Blake Berris

Anne Archer (ex-Cassandra, FALCON CREST) - 66
Ray Laska (ex-Russ, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Boris, SPYDER GAMES; ex-Harvey, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 64
Marlee Matlin (Melody, SWITCHED AT BIRTH; ex-Jodi, THE L WORD; ex-Joey, THE WEST WING; ex-Alisa, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) - 48
Jennifer Lien (ex-Hannah, ANOTHER WORLD) - 39
Bonnie Root (ex-Eve, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 38
Beth Riesgraf (ex-Loretta, UNDRESSED) - 35
Chad Michael Murray (ex-Lucas, ONE TREE HILL; ex-Dan, UNDRESSED) - 32
Blake Berris (Nick, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 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].