Today in Soap Opera History (February 20)

1970: Dark Shadows' Quentin and Maggie had matching pitchforks
on their hands. 1980: Edge of Night's Mrs. Henson testified at
Draper's trial. 1995: ATWT's Eduardo died. 2006: GH's Courtney
found out Nikolas was the father of her baby (Spencer Cassadine).

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"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...

1967: CBS began broadcasting As the World Turns in color, shifting from the black-and-white telecasts of the show's first 11 years.

1970: On Dark Shadows, Quentin (David Selby) and Maggie (Kathryn Leigh Scott) noticed they both had pitchfork marks on their hands.



1975: On Another World, Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) ripped up the announcement of Mac and Rachel's marriage which included a "ghastly picture of the new Mrs. Cory."

1980: On The Edge of Night, Mrs. Henson (Lori March) testified at Draper's (Tony Craig) murder trial.



1984: Beverlee McKinsey debuted as Alexandra (Spaulding) von Halkein on Guiding Light.



Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the item above.

1985: On Santa Barbara, Lionel (Nicolas Coster) was released from jail after Peter's "confession" was found. Augusta (Louise Sorel) tried to figure out who the Contessa Armonti was and how she knew Lionel.



1987: On Another World, Vince McKinnon (Robert Hogan) fell through the ice while chasing Bernie Gladstone (Ron Sibert) over a frozen lake.



1995: On As the World Turns, Eduardo was in the hospital after being shot by Hans, the man who kidnapped Lily and Holden. John assured everyone that the wound was not serious and that Eduardo would be fine. Hans died on the operating table but Lily still didn't feel safe.  Orlena went to Eduardo's room at the hospital, took some papers from Eduardo, and proceeded to murder him. Eduardo's wife, Lisa, went into the room to visited him and was shocked at his condition. The doctors rushed in to try and save Eduardo but it was too late. A distraught Lisa stayed at his bedside and reminisced about their trip to New York and their unfinished honeymoon.



2004: On The Young and the Restless, Arthur (David Hedison) revealed he was Jill's (Jess Walton) father, and did not understand why Kay (Jeanne Cooper) kept it a secret so many years. Meanwhile, Michael (Christian LeBlanc) tried to talk Kevin (Greg Rikaart) out of his suicidal state.

2006: ABC aired the 11,000th episode of General Hospital. After giving birth to her son (Baby John, now known as Spencer Cassadine), Courtney learned that Nikolas, not Jax, was the baby's father.



Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Marj Dusay (ex-Alexandra, Guiding Light; ex-Vanessa, All My Children; ex-Vivian, Days of our Lives; ex-Pamela, Santa Barbara; ex-Myrna, Capitol) - 80
Sandy Duncan (ex-Helen, Search for Tomorrow) - 70
David A. Kimball (ex-Dr. Lurie, The Young and the Restless; ex-Lieutenant Unger, Knots Landing) - 64
Tracy Brooks Swope (ex-Liz, Where the Heart Is; ex-Vanessa, General Hospital) - 63
Anthony Head (ex-Rupert, Buffy The Vampire Slayer) - 62
Rodney Van Johnson (ex-T.C., Passions; ex-Trey, The Young and the Restless; ex-Sebastian, Port Charles) - 55
Andrew Shue (ex-Billy, Melroseo Place) - 49
Lauren Ambrose (ex-Jill, Torchwood: Miracle Day; ex-Claire, Six Feet Under) - 38
Jay Hernandez (ex-Dante, Nashville; ex-Eddie, Undressed) - 38
Rihanna (Guest Star, All My Children) - 28

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