Today in Soap Opera History (June 9)

"History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies."
- Alexis de Tocqueville

"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...

SFT's Jo and Arthur

1870: Author Charles Dickens died at age 58. His works - including "A Christmas Carol" and "Oliver Twist" - were serialized in weekly or monthly parts and have been described as the soap operas of their day.

1944: NBC Radio aired the final episode of its soap opera Kitty Foyle, which starred Julie Stevens as Kitty.

1955: On Search for Tomorrow, Joanne (Mary Stuart) married Arthur Tate (Terry O'Sullivan).

1964: On Another World, Missy (Carol Roux) introduced Bill (Joseph Gallison) to Ann.

1980: On The Edge of Night, Emily (Margo McKenna) wanted to buy April's (Terry Davis) home.



1988: On General Hospital, Robert (Tristan Rogers) and Anna (Finola Hughes) visited Robin (Kimberly McCullough) at camp.



1993: Actress Alexis Smith, who played Lady Jessica Montford on Dallas, died at age 72.

1997: As the World Turns began showing a scene immediately following the opening theme.

Thanks to Na'Vell for sending in the item above.

2003: On As the World Turns, Carly (Maura West) was surprised to see Jack (Michael Park) in Montana.



2006: On Days of our Lives, Jack (Matt Ashford) was shocked when he saw an orderly that looked like Steve (Stephen Nichols, in his return to the show after 16 years).

2008: On The Young and the Restless, Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) told Paul (Doug Davidson) to stop investigating David.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Joe Santos (ex-Angelo, The Sopranos) - 83
Nancy Williams Watt (Writer, Days of our Lives; Guiding Light; Search for Tomorrow; Passions) - 65
Ted Eccles (ex-Bobby, General Hospital) - 59
Aaron Sorkin (Creator, The Newsroom; The West Wing) - 53
Michael J. Fox (Louis, The Good Wife) - 53
Johnny Depp (Barnabas, Dark Shadows movie) - 51
Josh Hamilton (ex-Charlie, All My Children) - 45
Nick Kiriazis (ex-Antonio, Sunset Beach; ex-Ric, General Hospital) - 45
Ewa da Cruz (ex-Vienna, As the World Turns) - 37
Adamo Ruggiero (ex-Marco, Degrassi) - 28
Mae Whitman (Amber, Parenthood) - 26
Danielle Chuchran (Young Stephanie, The Bold and the Beautiful) - 21