Today in Soap Opera History (November 5)

1985: Santa Barbara's Eden broke off her engagement to
Cruz. 1985: DJ agreed to do a favor for Ryan on Ryan's Hope.
1990: GH's Maxie was born. 1998: Guiding Light
debuted a new Michelle.

"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...

1945: On radio soap opera Doctor Paul, "radio's wonderful story of adult love," Victoria reflected on how she once knew Dr. Paul (Russell Thorson) after taking an old photograph Dr. Paul when he was a child. Listen to the episode here.

1957: On The Edge of Night, Mike (John Larkin) received a telephone call from an Arizona medical examiner that confirmed the real Clayton Pike had been murdered. That meant the man living in Monticello named "Clayton Pike" was an imposter.

1964: On Peyton Place, Rod (Ryan O'Neal) and Betty (Barbara Parkins) returned to Peyton Place as husband and wife.



1985: On Search for Tomorrow, Hogan (David Forsyth) was determined to get into Lloyd's (Joe Lambie) condo.



1985: On Santa Barbara, during a party at the Orient Express, a distraught Eden (Marcy Walker) told Cruz (A Martinez) he loved himself more than he loved her. As she walked away Eden announced to the party guests that she and Cruz were planning on announcing their engagement but now it was not going to happen ("The party is over!")



1985: On General Hospital, Sean Donely's (John Reilly) condition worsened when his wound became infected.



1985: On Ryan's Hope, Ryan (Yasmine Bleeth) asked D.J. (Christian Slater) to take an at-home test that was due the next day. Meanwhile, Dakota and Jillian shared a kiss.



1990: Erin Torpey debuted as Jessica on One Life to Live.

1990: On General Hospital, Felicia (Kristina Wagner) gave birth to a baby girl. Frisco (Jack Wagner) met his new daughter, Mariah Maximilliana "Maxie" Jones.



Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

1992: On Guiding Light, Ross Marler (Jerry verDorn) and his supporters celebrated his election victory.



1993: On General Hospital, Luke and Laura parachuted out of the plane, but got separated. Luke later rescued Laura from going over a raging waterfall. Sly took Lucky to the catacombs.



Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

1998: On Guiding Light, Mick tried to attack both Michelle and Drew at the beach so Michelle hit him over the head with a nearby rock. Bethany Joy Lenz (then known as Joie Lenz) made her first appearance as Michelle Bauer.



Thanks to Chris for sending in the clip above.

2001: On The Young and the Restless, Tricia (Sabryn Genet) cried to Dr. Burns that Victor (Eric Braeden) raped her. She sent Tricia to the medical facility where they could collect evidence for the police. Victor, recovering from the drugs Tricia slipped him the night before, ordered Paul to install surveillance cameras in Tricia's new apartment. When Paul asked about the urgency, Victor stated he needed to take action before things got out of hand. A police officer entered Victor's office, and informed Victor about Tricia's accusations. As he left to go down to the station, Victor exclaimed that Tricia was deranged and would not get away with this.

2007: The Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike.

2008: All My Children star Susan Lucci was voted off ABC dance competition series Dancing With the Stars.

2009: Sarah Brown debuted on The Bold and the Beautiful in the role of Sandy (who was actually Aggie).

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Chris Robinson (ex-Rick, General Hospital; ex-Jason, Another World; ex-Jack, The Bold and the Beautiful) - 76
Patricia Harty (ex-Patti, Search for Tomorrow; ex-Edie, The Doctors) - 73
J. Cynthia Brooks (ex-Taylor, Days of our Lives) - 63
Kelley Miles (ex-Dana, Days of our Lives) - 62
Howard McGillin (ex-Greg, The Young and the Restless; ex-Dr. Cooper, Search for Tomorrow; ex-Colin, As the World Turns; ex-Roy, One Life to Live) - 61
Robert Patrick (ex-David, The Sopranos) - 56
Andrea McArdle (ex-Wendy, Search for Tomorrow) - 51
Famke Janssen (ex-Diane, Melrose Place) - 50
Keith Coulouris (ex-David/Reid, As the World Turns; ex-Keith, One Life to Live) - 47
Judy Reyes (Zoila, Devious Maids; ex-Tina, Oz) - 47
Danniella Westbrook (Trudy, Hollyoaks; ex-Sam, EastEnders) - 42
Sam Page (ex-Craig, Switched at Birth; ex-Greg, Mad Men; ex-Sam, Desperate Housewives; ex-Trey, All My Children) - 39
Craig Lawlor (ex-Adam, As the World Turns) - 32
Meghan Benton (Vicki, Ragged Isle)

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