Today in Soap Opera History (December 3)

1984: DAYS' Carrie decided where to live. 1985: The freedom
flag was raised in GH's Asian Quarter. 1998: GL's Danny and
Michelle shared their first kiss. 2001: ATWT's Barbara and
James plotted against Carly, Emily and Rose.

"That is the supreme value of history. The study of it is the best guarantee against repeating it."
- John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir

"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...

1946: On LIFE CAN BE BEAUTIFUL, Stanley (Ralph Locke) tried to take charge of Chichi's (Alice Reinheart) affairs, but Chichi refused. She had her own ideas.

1971: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, after reciting the presidential oath, Keith Whitney (Bruce Martin) fell to his death at his mother's feet in the tower on the Whitney Summer estate. Laurie Ann Karr (Emily Prager) was also there.

Thanks to Jim for sending in the item above.

1984: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Anna (Leann Hunley) asked Carrie (Andrea Barber) if she wanted to keep living with Marlena even after Roman's death.



1985: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Wu was arrested and the Asian community raised their banner of freedom at the waterfront celebration.



1998: On GUIDING LIGHT, Danny (Paul Anthony Stewart) and Michelle shared their first kiss. Watch here.

2001: On AS THE WORLD TURNS, Barbara (Colleen Zenk) and James (Anthony Herrera) plotted to rid the world of Emily, Rose and Carly.



2007: Chris Stack debuted as the new Michael McBain on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

2007: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Reed Newman Hellstrom was born.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Nicolas Coster (Jack, THE BAY; ex-Lionel, SANTA BARBARA; ex-John, OUR PRIVATE WORLD; ex-Eduardo/John, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Robert, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Robert, SOMERSET; ex-Steve, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Anthony, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Matt, YOUNG DOCTOR MALONE; ex-Paul, THE SECRET STORM; ex-Lyle/Joe, DALLAS) - 80
Mary Alice (ex-Allie, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 71
Jennifer Harmon (ex-Cathy, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Jean, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Lucretia, LOVING) - 70
Jack Stauffer (ex-Chuck, ALL MY CHILDRE; ex-Scott, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 68
Maureen Silliman (ex-Pam, GUIDING LIGHT) - 64
Melody Anderson (ex-Natalie, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 58
Steven Culp (ex-Dan, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Tom, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Rex, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) - 58
Julianne Moore (ex-Frannie/Sabrina, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Carmen, EDGE OF NIGHT) - 53
Barbara Garrick (ex-Allison, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Rita, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Charlotte, GUIDING LIGHT) - 48
Mark Deklin (ex-Joe, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Blake, GCB) - 46
Mark Lewis (ex-Gregory, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Andrew, ANOTHER WORLD) - 41
Lauren E. Roman (ex-Laura, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 38
Cristi Harris (ex-Tina, PASSIONS; ex-Emily, SUNSET BEACH) - 36
Holly Marie Combs (Ella, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS) - 30
Amanda Seyfried (ex-Lucy, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Joni, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 27
Michael Angarano (ex-Steven, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-MJ, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 26
Jake T. Austin (Jesus, THE FOSTERS) - 19

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.