Today in Soap Opera History (March 14)

1968: Angelique's portrait first appeared on Dark Shadows.
1980: The Edge of Night's Nola confessed her crimes.
1989: Another World's Vicky gave birth to a baby boy.
1996: General Hospital's Jason ran into Robin on the bridge.

"Mankind are so much the same, in all times and places, that history informs us of nothing new or strange in this particular. Its chief use is only to discover the constant and universal principles of human nature."
― David Hume

"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 The Doctors, Matt (James Pritchett) tried to console Karen (Laryssa Lauret) after she received a cablegram with news of her father's death.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Natalie DuPres (Grayson Hall) saw the portrait of Josette hanging over the fireplace change into a portrait of Angelique.



1980: On Ryan's Hope, Jack (Michael Levin) considered using a medical hypnotist.



1980: On The Edge of Night, Nola Madison (Kim Hunter) confessed to murdering Margo and framing Draper Scott.



1980: On Dallas, Jock, Miss Ellie, Bobby and Pam visited Amanda, Jock’s first wife. Vaughn Leland told J.R. he was joining the deal with the cartel members who were buying Ewing Oil's Asian wells, not realizing at the time the wells were about to be nationalized. Everyone in the cartel became a suspect after J.R. was shot a week later.

1985: On Santa Barbara, Kelly (Robin Wright) learned her mother, Sophia (Judith McConnell) was alive.



1989: On Another World, Jamie (Laurence Lau) coached Jake (Tom Eplin) over the phone and he delivered Vicky's (Anne Heche) baby boy (named Steven Frame).



Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the clip above.

1996: On All My Children, Erica Kane (Susan Lucci) had to choose between Dimitri Marick (Michael Nader) and Dr. Jonathan Kinder (Michael Sabatino). A special addiction PSA aired at the end of the episode.



1996: On General Hospital, Jason (Steve Burton) ran into Robin (Kimberly McCullough) on the bridge.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Steve Kanaly (ex-Ray, Dallas; ex-Charles, DeVanity; ex-Seabone, All My Children) - 69
Billy Crystal (ex-Jodie, SOAP) - 67
Season Hubley (ex-Angelique, All My Children) - 64
Russell Todd (ex-Jamie, Another World; ex-Jordy, Capitol) - 57
Tamara Tunie (ex-Judge Weston, Days of our Lives; ex-Jessica, As the World Turns) - 56
Penny Johnson (ex-Debbie, General Hospital) - 54
Melissa Reeves (Jennifer, Days of our Lives; ex-Jade, Santa Barbara) - 48
Priscilla Garita (ex-Lupe, General Hospital; ex-Theresa, Passions; ex-Gabi, Sunset Beach; ex-Kathy, Another World; ex-Anita, All My Children; ex-Rita, As the World Turns) - 47
Tyler Noyes (ex-C.J., One Life to Live) - 29

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