Five Things That Happened On November 23 In Soap History

In 1998, Guiding Light’s Phillip Spaulding (Grant Aleksander) and Harley Cooper (Beth Ehlers) said, “I do" in a wedding held in New York City and conducted by its then-mayor, Rudy Giuliani. This was the second time the bride had married into the Spaulding family; she had previously been wed to Phillip's younger brother, Alan-Michael. The duo had been so exasperated by how their wedding plans had been spiraling out of control thanks to their well-meaning loved ones that they had decided to elope in Manhattan, but when they showed up at City Hall, they were happily surprised by the presence of their family.

In 1999, Heather Olson (r., pictured with Nadia Bjorlin as Chloe Lane) made her Days of Our Lives debut as Jan Spears. She assumed the role from Natalie Ramsey and remained with the show until 2002, then returned from 2003-04, at which point Jan was recast with Heather Lindell. At the character's outset, she palled around with Philip and frequently bullied Chloe. Later, she set her sights on Shawn, causing trouble for the burgeoning romance of Shawn and Belle.

In 2007, Shawn-Douglas Brady (Brandon Beemer) and Belle Black (Martha Madison) wed on Thanksgiving on Days of Our Lives. The bride's half sister, Sami Brady, served as matron of honor. Belle's ex, Philip, glowered to Billie that Belle would be thinking of him, not Shawn, as she made her way down the aisle. Belle got emotional saying her vows, telling Shawn, "You fought for me and Claire," their daughter, "and I'll never forget that. Because not only did you prove that you loved us, but that my dad wasn't the only hero in my life. I had someone else I could count on, always." She went on to pledge, "I promise to be a good wife and to love you and to be faithful to you for as long as we both shall live."

In 2011 on General Hospital, Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) and Samantha McCall Morgan (Kelly Monaco, r.) agreed to spend Thanksgiving at the Quartermaine mansion, much to the delight of Monica (Leslie Charleson) and Edward. Tracy was in a foul mood as Luke was MIA, and things were also tense between the newlyweds in the wake of their Franco-ruined honeymoon. Jason had so much difficulty containing his rage that he wound up upending the table, sending the feast crashing to the floor.

In 2015, General Hospital’s Helena Cassadine (Constance Towers) died (for real this time). Her demise took place on Cassadine Island, where she was being cared for by Nikolas. "Jason" (later revealed to be Drew) had gone there, as had Liz and Sam, looking for answers about his identity and who had helped to conceal it during his time as "Jake." "Jason" accused Helena of talking in circles and barked, "Stop wasting my time. You tell me — who else knew I was Jason?!" Helena replied, "Well, such single-mindedness, that should be rewarded." She said she believed he deserved to know and as she began to answer him, she went into medical distress. Doctors were unable to revive her, telling Nikolas that his grandmother was dead.