Today in Soap Opera History (February 9)

1968: Dark Shadows' Josette jumped off Widows' Hill.
1984: Days' Roman convinced Abe he was innocent.
1996: AMC's Laurel was shot and killed.
2007: Y&R's Lauren killed Sheila.

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Angelique (Lara Parker) tried to fool Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) using Josette's voice to go to Widows' Hill. Barnabas guessed what her plan was and left to save Josette. Josette climbed to Widows' Hill where Angelique showed her a vision of what she would become if she stayed with Barnabas. Barnabas arrived but Josette was frightened by him. He grabbed her to save her from the cliff but Josette pulled away and jumped to her death.



1971: Philip Carey and Anthony Geary guest starred on All My Children. In an episode titled "Judging Books by Covers," Archie mistakenly assumed Mike and Gloria's friend, Roger (Geary), was gay but it turned out his buddy, Steve (Carey), was actually gay instead. Read President Richard Nixon's reaction to the episode here.



1981: On Another World, Mac (Douglass Watson) and Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) told Mitch about Janice, St. Croix, and Matthew's paternity.

1984: On Days of our Lives, Abe (James Reynolds) found Roman (Wayne Northrop) and they faced off until Roman convinced Abe of his innocence.

1989: Another World kicked off a two-day "A Valentine to Singles" special. Watch both episodes below.



1989: On Dynasty, Jeff saved Sammy Jo (Heather Locklear) from the burning barn.

1990: The Bradys, a primetime soap featuring the sitcom and variety show family, premiered on CBS. In the first episode, Bobby (Mike Lookinland) became paralyzed after a racing accident.



1993: On Another World, Grant Harrison (Mark Pinter) married Vicky Hudson (Jensen Buchanan).

1994: FOX aired the 100th episode of Beverly Hills, 90210, titled "Scared Very Straight." David's (Brian Austin Green) amphetamines addiction was out of the control so he called Dylan for help.

1996: On All My Children, Laurel Banning Dillion (Felicity LaFortune) was shot and killed on the set of The Cutting Edge.



2005: Lyndsy Fonseca aired for the final time as Colleen on The Young and the Restless.

2007: On The Young and the Restless, Lauren (Tracey Bregman) shot and killed Sheila Carter (Michelle Stafford). Sheila, played for years on Y&R and B&B by Kimberlin Brown, got plastic surgery to look like Phyllis Summers Newman.

Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Barbara Young (ex-Doreen, Coronation Street) - 80
Mia Farrow (ex-Allison, Peyton Place) - 71
Judith Light (ex-Judith, Dallas; ex-Claire, Ugly Betty; ex-Karen, One Life to Live) - 67
Charles Shaughnessy (ex-Elliot, The Bay; ex-Shane, Days of our Lives; ex-Alistair, General Hospital) - 61
Jim J. Bullock (ex-Serge, The Bold and the Beautiful) - 61
Jason George (Ben, Grey's Anatomy; ex-Michael, Sunset Beach) - 46
Sharon Case (Sharon, The Young and the Restless; ex-Debbie, As the World Turns; ex-Dawn, General Hospital) - 45
Colin Egglesfield (ex-Auggie, Melrose Place; ex-Josh, All My Children) - 43
Corey Parker Robinson (ex-Remy, Guiding Light) - 41
Margarita Levieva (ex-Amanda, Revenge) - 36
Rachel Melvin (ex-Chelsea, Days of our Lives) - 31
Michael B. Jordan (ex-Alex, Parenthood; ex-Vince, Friday Night Lights; ex-Reggie, All My Children) - 29
Rose Leslie (Gwen, Downton Abbey; ex-Ygritte, Game of Thrones) - 29

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