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1968: Dark Shadows' Josette jumped off Widows' Hill.

1984: Days of our Lives' Roman convinced Abe he was innocent.

1989: Another World featured the single women of Bay City.

1996: All My Children's Laurel was shot and killed."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"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 Dark Shadows, Angelique (Lara Parker) tried to fool Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) using Josette's voice to go to Widows' Hill. Barnabas guessed what her plan was and left to save Josette. Josette climbed to Widows' Hill where Angelique showed her a...

Exclusive: Further cast attached to soccer drama include Gary Lewis, Michael Socha and Chloe Harris.

UK-Germany co-pro Trautmann, a biopic of legendary German goalkeeper Bert Trautmann, has rounded out its cast and begun filming in Northern Ireland.

Joining the recently announced John Henshaw (Looking For Eric) and Dervla Kirwan (Ballykissangel) are: Dave Johns (I, Daniel Blake), Harry Melling (Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1), Gary Lewis (Billy Elliot), Michael Socha (Being Human), Mikey Collins (Dunkirk), Chloe Harris (Call The Midwife) and Barbara Young (Coronation Street).

Germany’s David Kross plays Trautmann and 2013 UK Star of Tomorrow Freya Mavor is the love of his life, Margaret, who was the daughter of his English coach.

The film tells the story of Bert Trautmann, the former Nazi paratrooper who became a goalkeeping legend at Manchester City, making 545 appearances and famously playing in the Fa Cup final with a broken neck.

The first image has also been released (see above...

On this day in showbiz history... 

15 Agrippina the Younger, the sister of the infamous Caligula and wife of Claudius is born. She's been played in movies for film and television by actresses like Barbara Young (I Claudius), Lori Wagner (Caligula), and Ava Gardner (A.D.) among others

1867 Pioneering physicist Marie Curie is born in Poland. 76 years later her biopic Madame Curie is nominated for 7 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Actress (Greer Garson). It's worth noting that there's a new Polish biopic about her life opening next month in Europe starring Karolina Gruszka 

1874 Political cartoonist Thomas Nast first uses the elephant to symbolize the Republican party in an illustration...

Barbara Young (ex-Doreen, Coronation Street) - 75

Judith Light (ex-Claire, Ugly Betty; ex-Karen, One Life To Live) - 62

Sharon Case (Sharon, The Young And The Restless; ex-Debbie, As The World Turns; ex-Dawn, General Hospital) - 40

Jason Winston George (ex-Micheal, Sunset Beach) - 39

Colin Egglesfield (ex-Auggie, Melrose Place; ex-Josh, All My Children) - 38

Corey Parker Robinson (ex-Remy, Guiding Light) - 36

Michael B. Jordan (Vince, Friday Night Lights; ex-Reggie, All My Children) - 24...