Today in Soap Opera History (November 15)

1979: Peyton Place's Connie told Elliot she was pregnant.
1983: All My Children's Tad tried to blackmail Marian.
1989: Santa Barbara's Brandon found Santana at this door.
1995: General Hospital's Robert returned, in spirit.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it."
― John W. Gardner

"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 Peyton Place, Martin (George Macready) was incensed that Steven (James Douglas) didn't see Stella's (Lee Grant) testimony coming.  Meanwile, Rodney (Ryan O'Neal) checked in on Allison (Mia Farrow), Elliot (Tim O'Connor) struggled with writing a news article about Rodney's trial, and Connie (Dorothy Malone) told Elliot she was pregnant.



1974: On Another World, Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) had an erotic dream about her ex-husband, Steve Frame (George Reinholt).

1979: On As the World Turns, Kim Stewart (Kathryn Hays) found a mysterious note as she was packing to leave The Willows.



1983: On All My Children, Marian Colby (Jennifer Bassey) told the blackmailing Tad Martin (Michael E. Knight) he would not get another dime from her.



1984: On Knots Landing, Greg Sumner (William Devane) won the election to become Senator. After giving an acceptance speech, Greg told his wife, Jane (Millie Perkins), he wanted a divorce.

1985: On Days of our Lives, Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope (Kristian Alfonso) Brady found the treasure but were greeted by the gun-toting Savannah (Shannon Tweed) and Patch (Stephen Nichols).



1989: On As the World Turns, John Dixon (Larry Bryggman) testified at Paul's (Andrew Kavovit) trial.

Gina Gallego

1989: On Santa Barbara, Gina (Robin Mattson) fantasized about Ethan being Brandon's father and her husband. Brandon (Justin Gocke, who died in September at age 36) tricked Gina into telling him about his surprise party. Later, as Brandon retrieved the morning paper, Santana showed up at the door and was surprised when he knew who she was. Gina Gallego returned to the role Santana Andrade after two and a half years away.

1989: On Guiding Light, Ed (Peter Simon) and Maureen (Ellen Parker) Bauer decided to get married again.

1993: On General Hospital, Frank Smith's men followed Sly and Lucky around the catacombs, and Bill Eckert (Anthony Geary) was shot trying to protect them. The gunmen thought they had shot Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary). Luke and Laura (Genie Francis) arrived at the catacombs but not in time to help Bill, who died with Luke by his side. With his final words, Bill told Luke not to bother trying to saving him: "Bitter justice, the last face I see is my own."



Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

1995: Tristan Rogers made a return appearance on General Hospital. Robert Scorpio's spirit (the character was presumed dead at the time) had a talk with his daughter, Robin (Kimberly McCullough).



1996: The TV movie Dallas: J.R. Returns aired on CBS starring Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Ken Kercheval, Patrick Duffy and others from the original Dallas series.



2005: Australian soap Headland premiered on the Seven Network. It ran for 58 episodes until January 23, 2006.

2007: On General Hospital, Nikolas (Tyler Christopher) tried to revive Emily but she was already dead.



Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

2009: Actor Dennis Cole died at age 69. He starred as Duke Spalding in Ted Corday's short-lived Paradise Bay and the was second Lance Prentiss on The Young and the Restless.

2012: On Days of our Lives, Gabi Hernandez (Camila Banus) told Will (Chandler Massey) she was pregnant.



Celebrating a birthday today are:

Judith Chapman

Edward Asner (Grandpa Carver, Chasing Life; ex-Wilson, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip) - 85
Brian Davies (ex-Dick, All My Children; ex-Scott, One Life to Live) - 76
Sam Waterston (Charlie, The Newsroom; ex-Forrest, I'll Fly Away) - 74
Bob Gunton (ex-Noah, Desperate Housewives) - 69
Judith Chapman (Gloria, The Bold and the Beautiful; Gloria, The Young and the Restless; ex-Anjelica, Days of our Lives; ex-Sandra, One Life to Live; ex-Ginny, General Hospital; ex-Charlotte, Ryan's Hope; ex-Natalie, As the World Turns) - 63
Lisa De Cazotte (Co-Executive Producer, Days of our Lives; Former Producer, Passions; All My Children; General Hospital: Night Shift; Sunset Beach; One Life to Live; Santa Barbara) - 63
Margaret Reed (ex-Sheila, Gotham; ex-Shannon, As the World Turns) - 58
Jay Harrington (ex-Wyatt, Private Practice; ex-Ron, Desperate Housewives) - 43
Jonny Lee Miller (Roger, Dark Shadows 2012 film; ex-Jonathan, EastEnders) - 42
Jason Leaver (Creator, Out With Dad)
Yaya DaCosta (ex-Cassandra, All My Children; ex-Nico, Ugly Betty) - 32
Gemma Atkinson (ex-Lisa, Hollyoaks) - 30
Shailene Woodley (ex-Amy, The Secret Life of the American Teenager; ex-Kaitlin, The O.C.) - 23

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