Today in Soap Opera History (October 19)

1979: EON's Deborah began receiving mysterious phone calls.
1984: Days' twins Eric and Sami were born. 1992: Days'
Abigail was born. 2006: GL's Olivia told Gus about her rape.

"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...

1965: On General Hospital, Bill (Curtis Taylor) made his feelings clear about Dr. Steve Hardy (John Beradino).

1965: On A Time For Us, Dave (Terrence Logan) listened to Steve's (Tom Fielding) confession.

1965: On The Young Marrieds, Ann (Susan Brown) made an effort to charm Mandy (Marla Palmer).

1970: On Another World, Rachel (Robin Strasser) gave Russ (Sam Groom) a signed legal document relinquishing any claim to the trust fund for Jamie.

1979: On The Edge of Night, Deborah (Frances Fisher) began receiving mysterious phone calls.



1979: On As the World Turns, things continued to be mysterious at The Willows for Lisa (Eileen Fulton) as she anticipated Tom's arrival.



1982: On General Hospital, Bryan (Todd Davis) was upset that Claudia (Bianca Ferguson) invited his father, Eddie (Sammy Davis Jr), over for dinner.



1984: On Days of our Lives, Roman (Wayne Northrop) and Marlena's (Deidre Hall) twins, Eric Roman and Samantha Gene (Sami), were born.



1988: On General Hospital, AJ (Christopher Ren Nelson) was tongue-tied when talking with Melissa (Ami Dolenz).



1992: On Days of our Lives, Jack (Matthew Ashford) and Jennifer's (Melissa Reeves) daughter, Abigail Deveraux (now played by Kate Mansi), was born.



1993: On EastEnders, Roly, the poodle that had been on the soap since its 1985 premiere, Roly slipped his lead to chase a cat and was run over by a truck. 14.8 million viewers tuned in to see Roly's last appearance on the show.

2001: On One Life to Live, Viki (Erika Slezak) reacted to the confirmation Natalie (Melissa Archer) was her daughter.



2006: On Guiding Light, Jonathan (Tom Pelphrey) and Tammy made love.



Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

2006: On Guiding Light, Olivia (Crystal Chappell) revealed to Buzz (Justin Deas) she had been raped and didn't know who was Ava's father.



2007: Tanya Boyd aired for the final time as Celeste Perrault in Days of our Lives.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
John Lithgow (ex-The White Rabbit, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland; ex-Arthur, Dexter) - 69
Tava Smiley (ex-Chloe, General Hospital) - 43
Desmond Harrington (ex-Jack, Gossip Girl; ex-Joey, Dexter) - 39
Habib Azar (Director, The Young and the Restless; As the World Turns) - 35
Christopher Gerse (ex-Will, Days of our Lives) - 23
Hunter King (Summer, The Young and the Restless; ex-Adriana, Hollywood Heights) - 21

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