Today in Soap Opera History (June 17)

1986: Another World's Cass heard Cecile plotting against Kathleen.
1997: Port Charles' Lucy was grabbed while looking for Serena.
2002: As the World Turns' Craig got punched by Jack.
2013: All My Children's David found Cassandra.

"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree."
― Michael Crichton

"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...

1932: CBS Radio soap opera Judy and Jane aired for the final time. Four months later, it was picked up by NBC Radio. After it was canceled from radio for good in 1935, it continued to be distributed through transcription for 12 more years.

1950: Hawkins Falls premiered on NBC. The show first aired as a comedy-drama in primetime before becoming a five-days-a-week daytime soap opera on April 2, 1951.

1963: On Ben Jerrod, Janet Donelli (Regina Gleason) faced the jury.

Thanks to Jeff for sending in the item above.

1966: On The Guiding Light, Bill Bauer (Ed Bryce) was caught drinking by a colleague.

1971: On The Doctors Steve (David O'Brien) told Althea that Karen was still in love with Matt.



1981: On As the World Turns, Melinda Gray (Ariana Munker Chase) drowned at Brad Hollister's (Peter Brouwer) company picnic.

1985: On Days of our Lives, a blind Kimberly (Patsy Pease) continued to reject Shane (Charles Shaughnessy).

1985: On Santa Barbara, Augusta Lockridge (Louise Sorel) regained her sight.

1986: On Another World, Cass (Stephen Schnetzer) overhead Cecile (Nancy Frangione) plotting against Kathleen (Julie Osburn).



1987: Robert Clary aired for the final time on Days of our Lives as Robert LeClair.

1994: Actress Sarah Hardy died at age 57. Her soap roles included Jill Malone on Young Doctor Malone, Lyddy Benson on From These Roots and Jean Sawyer on Days of our Lives.

1997: Actress Fran Foster died at age 73. She played Vera on Guiding Light, Aunt Bess in All My Children, Miriam George on Ryan's Hope and Grace Trainor in One Life to Live.

1997: On Port Charles, Lucy (Lynn Herring) heard Serena's voice and followed the sound. Just as Lucy discovered it was only a tape recorder, she was grabbed from behind.



1999: On Another World, Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) was reunited with amnesiac Carl (Charles Keating).

2002: On As the World Turns, Jack (Michael Park) punched Craig (Hunt Block) after he learned Craig had kissed Carly.



2009: Hal Riddle, who played Max on Days of our Lives in the early 1970s, died at age 91.

2013: On All My Children, David (Vincent Irizzary) found Cassandra (Sal Stowers) and had her rushed to the hospital.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Frank Ashmore (ex-Corrigan, General Hospital; ex-Brent, Days of our Lives) - 71
Daniel McVicar (ex-Clarke, The Bold and the Beautiful) - 58
Tracie Bennett (ex-Sharon, Coronation Street) - 55
Erin Murphy (Realtor, Youthful Daze) - 52
Kami Cotler (ex-Elizabeth, The Waltons) - 51
Sonya Eddy (Epiphany, General Hospital; ex-Epiphany, General Hospital: Night Shift) - 49
Brendan Wentworth (ex-Brad, Guiding Light) - 42
Scott Adkins (ex-Joel, EastEnders; ex-Bradley, Holby City) - 40
Heather Mazur (ex-Isabel, Pretty Little Liars) - 40

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