Today in Soap Opera History (January 31)

On this date in...

1967: On ANOTHER WORLD, Mary (Virginia Dwyer) and Jim (Shepperd Strudwick) were relieved knowing [GUIDING LIGHT's] Mike Bauer got on a plane and left Bay City.

1974: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Nicole (Maeve McGuire) dreaded a visit with her father, Benjamin Travis.

1980: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, April (Terry Davis) visited Margo (Ann Williams) to confirm Draper's innocence. All Margo could say was, "No."



1985: On AS THE WORLD TURNS, Bob (Don Hastings) comforted a fearful Kim (Kathryn Hays).



1992: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Victoria (Heather Tom) received her first HIV test result.



1995: Stuart Damon was featured on ABC's "Soap Line" talking about Monica's breast cancer storyline. ABC fan these spots just before GH during the O.J. Simpson trial.



1997: On SUNSET BEACH, Ben (Clive Robertson) made a shocking discovery after he was tossed in jail.



2001: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Nina (Tricia Cast) left Genoa City to move to Los Angeles.

2009: Actor Clint Ritchie died at age 70. He was best known to soap fans for his long run as Clint Buchanan on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

2011: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Michael (Chad Duell) admitted he had been raped in prison.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Jessica Walter (Malory, ARCHER; ex-Tabitha, 90210; ex-Julie, LOVE OF LIFE) - 72
Nolan Ryan (Himself, RYAN'S HOPE) - 66
Kelly Lynch (ex-Laurel, 90210) - 54
Réal Andrews (Keith, THE BAY; ex-Agent Trumble, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Walker, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Taggert, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Robert, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Danny, SANTA BARBARA) - 50
Timothy Stickney (R.J., ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 48
Portia de Rossi (ex-Olivia, NIP/TUCK) - 40
Anna Silk (ex-Becca, UNDRESSED) - 39
Kerry Washington (ex-Olivia, SCANDAL) - 36
Valentina de Angelis (ex-Faith, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 24

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a piece of soap opera history for this daily column, please email it to editor@welovesoaps.com.