Today in Soap Opera History (October 21)

1982: GH's Bryan visited his father.  1988: GL's Rick put
the pieces together about the baby his bride was having.
1997: AW's Felicia removed her bandages. 2004: GL's Reva
told Cassie that JB was Jonathan.

"History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future."
― Robert Penn Warren

"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...

1953: On Hawkins Falls, May (Vivian Lasswell) came to Floyd (Maurice Copeland) with a problem. Meanwhile, Sue (Toni Gilman) tore into Mitch (Jim Bannon). Hugh Downs was the Announcer for the show at this time. Watch the episode below:



1982: On General Hospital, Bryan (Todd Davis) and Claudia (Bianca Ferguson) kissed and made up, and Brian paid a visit to his father, Eddie (Sammy Davis Jr.).



1986: On Ryan's Hope, Rick (Grant Show) helped Lizzie buy time with John Reid.



1988: On Guiding Light, as Rick (Michael O'Leary) and Meredith's (Nicolette Goulet) wedding began, Rick started to realize the truth about the baby Meredith was carrying, which he later learned was Phillip's.



1994: On All My Children, Opal (Jill Larson) told Tad and Dixie she thought Palmer was gone for good this time.



1997: On Another World, Felicia (Linda Dano) unwrapped her facial bandages and was horrified at what she saw.



1999: Brandon Tyler began a two month run as Philip Kiriakis in Days of our Lives.

2004: On Guiding Light, Reva (Kim Zimmer) revealed to Cassie (Laura Wright) that JB was actually Jonathan.



Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

2008: SOAPnet aired the final episode of General Hospital: Night Shift after two seasons.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Rhoda Gemignani (ex-Aunt Grace, General Hospital) - 74
Everett McGill (ex-Big Ed, Twin Peaks; ex-Chad, Guiding Light) - 69
Dick Christie (ex-Stanley, Days of our Lives) - 66
Patti Davis (ex-Marissa, Rituals; ex-Marla, The Edge of Night) - 62
Jim Fitzpatrick (Sound Department, Mad Men; Melrose Place; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Models Inc.; Beverly Hills, 90210) - 62
Carrie Fisher (ex-Madison, Jack & Bobby) - 58
Tony Rhodes (ex-Jesse, Days of our Lives) - 44
Jonathan Sharp (ex-Sergei, Another World; Loving) - 43
Sasha Roiz (Sean, Grimm; ex-Marcus, Warehouse 13; ex-Stephen, Playmakers) - 41
Michael McMillian (ex-Steve, True Blood) - 36
Will Estes (ex-Brandon, Santa Barbara; ex-Will, Reunion; ex-Andrew, 7th Heaven) - 36
Matt Dallas (ex-Chad, Eastwick; ex-Kyle, Kyle XY) - 32
Aaron Tveit (ex-Trip, Gossip Girl) - 31
Charlotte Sullivan (ex-Mandy, M.V.P.) - 31
Rachael Hip-Flores (Juliet, Producing Juliet; ex-Vivian, Anyone But Me)

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a soap history entry for this date or a future date, email [email protected].