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As the World Turns Says Goodbye
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surpasses it in 1978. ATWT's 20-year reign was a record that stood until the Young and the Restless surpassed it in 2010, being No.1 for 21 years.

1960

Eileen Fulton is introduced as Lisa Miller, a "bad girl" character who's not completely evil. She is daytime's original "woman you love to hate," pre-dating Erica Kane (Susan Lucci on All My Children) by 10 years.

1962

ATWT's favorite couple is split for good when the love of Penny's (Rosemary Prinz) life, Jeff (Mark Rydell), is killed in a car crash. Fan reaction is tremendous: CBS is swamped with mail, telegrams and calls complaining about Jeff's demise.

1963

CBS interrupts the broadcast of As the World Turns to announce that President Kennedy has been shot. However, the actors must continue performing because the show is live, not on tape, and cannot be stopped. They are informed about JFK's death when the broadcast ends.

1965

A spinoff from ATWT called "Our Private World" debuts on CBS as a prime-time serial, the first and only time a daytime show inspired a prime-time show. Eileen Fulton starred as Lisa (the character she created on As the World Turns), a young divorcee who attempts to make a new life for herself in Chicago, and how tangled emotions and interwoven problems of her newfound friends directly affect her own life. When Our Private World is canceled after five months, Fulton returns to As the World Turns.

1967

As the World Turns gets more colorful.  The show starts broadcasting in color.

1968

As the World Turns is spoofed on The Carol Burnett Show in a sketch called As the Stomach Turns. It becomes a regular feature on Ms. Burnett's comedy hour.

1970

Eileen Fulton's autobiography, "How My World Turns," is published.

1973

As the World Turns changes its musical accompaniment. Instead of organ music, prerecorded orchestral arrangements are used.

1975

As The World Turns becomes the first hour-long daytime drama on CBS. Also, the show stops airing live episodes, instead broadcasting a tape of the actors' real-time performance of the soap opera.

1976

ATWT maintains its dominance as the top soap in the ratings, but Time magazine criticizes the show as being "bland, euphemistic and reactionary."

1980

CBS moves As the World Turns to 2 p.m. eastern time it held until it’s final day.

1981

Dr. John Dixon (Larry Bryggman) is put on trial for marital rape.

1983

Actors Justin Deas and Margaret Colin get married, just like their on-screen alter egos, Tom and Margo Hughes.

1983

As The World Turns wins its first two acting awards at the Daytime Emmys: Mr. Bryggman as outstanding actor and Mr. Deas as outstanding supporting actor.

1985

After a 12-year courtship, Bob (Don Hastings) and Kim (Kathryn Hays) get married. Also, a new core family is added to the cast when the Snyders are introduced.

1987

ATWT wins the Daytime Emmy as outstanding drama series.

1988

Julianne Moore wins the Daytime Emmy for her role as twins Frannie and Sabrina.

As the World Turns introduces daytime’s first openly gay character, Hank Eliot (played by Brian Starcher) when he comes out to Iva (Lisa Brown).

1989

Stories from the early years of "ATWT" are converted into novels and published by Pioneer in a series of paperbacks.

1990

As the World Turns was honored at the first annual GLAAD media awards in 1990 for its gay character, Hank Eliot.

1991

As the World Turns wins its second Daytime Emmy as outstanding drama series.

1993

Show alum Marisa Tomei (Marcy) wins an Oscar for best supporting actress for her role in "My Cousin Vinny."

1995

Actress Patricia Bruder is let go after playing Ellen for 35 years.

1995

As the World Turns broadcasts its 10,000th episode.

1996

As the World Turns produces the 40th Anniversary Edition of the “Complete Family Scrapebook,” written by Julie Poll.  Helen Wagner (Nancy) wrote the “Introduction,” beginning with the following words:  “Once upon a time – magic words – Irna Phillips, writer, and Ted Corday, producer, put together the

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