On the occasion of its 65th birthday, here are 15 iconic photos from the show’s 1956-2010 run.
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Photo credit: CBS
The show’s very first scene introduced the matriarch and patriarch of the Hughes family, Helen Wagner’s Nancy and Don McLaughlin’s Chris.
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Photo credit: CBS
In 1959, fans celebrated when lovebirds Jeff (Mark Rydell) and Penny (Rosemary Prinz) tied the knot.
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Photo credit: CBS
The 1960 introduction of Eileen Fulton as Lisa (pictured with Don Hastings as Bob, Lisa’s first husband) shook things up in Oakdale.
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Photo credit: CBS
Here’s another long-running duo, David (Henderson Forsythe) and Ellen (Patricia Bruder), pictured in 1961, four years before they wed.
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Photo credit: CBS
Dan (John Reilly), pictured in 1974, was one of the men both Susan (Marie Masters, l.) and Kim (Kathryn Hays) fell in love with.
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Photo credit: CBS
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Photo credit: CBS
In 1984, the splashy wedding of Steve (Frank Runyeon) and Betsy (Meg Ryan) drew millions of viewers.
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Photo credit: CBS
The heart-thumping Douglas Cummings (John Wesley Shipp) mystery involving Frannie (Julianne Moore, c.) and Kim was a dramatic high point in 1986.
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Photo credit: CBS
In a chilling 1986 scene, Anthony Herrera’s back-from-the-dead James Stenbeck revealed himself to his ex-wife by purring, “Hello, Barbara [Colleen Zenk].”
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Photo credit: CBS
The surprise romance (and 1987 elopement) of John (Larry Bryggman) and Lucinda (Elizabeth Hubbard) delighted fans.
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Photo credit: CBS
In 1993, the show traveled to Italy for a story that featured the romance of Emily (Kelley Menighan) and Royce (Terry Lester).
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Photo credit: CBS
Lily (Martha Byrne) and Holden’s (Jon Hensley) 1998 nuptials were a highlight of their decades-long romance.
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Photo credit: CBS
The 2001 nuptials of supercouple Jack (Michael Park) and Carly (Maura West) were a fan favorite.
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Photo credit: JPI
The Snyder farm was the setting for many a boisterous Thanksgiving dinner; this one is from 2007.
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Photo credit: JPI
The series’ emotional final episode featured Bob’s retirement from the hospital. As always, Bob had Kim by his side.
The show’s very first scene introduced the matriarch and patriarch of the Hughes family, Helen Wagner’s Nancy and Don McLaughlin’s Chris.
In 1959, fans celebrated when lovebirds Jeff (Mark Rydell) and Penny (Rosemary Prinz) tied the knot.
The 1960 introduction of Eileen Fulton as Lisa (pictured with Don Hastings as Bob, Lisa’s first husband) shook things up in Oakdale.
Here’s another long-running duo, David (Henderson Forsythe) and Ellen (Patricia Bruder), pictured in 1961, four years before they wed.
Dan (John Reilly), pictured in 1974, was one of the men both Susan (Marie Masters, l.) and Kim (Kathryn Hays) fell in love with.
In 1984, the splashy wedding of Steve (Frank Runyeon) and Betsy (Meg Ryan) drew millions of viewers.
The heart-thumping Douglas Cummings (John Wesley Shipp) mystery involving Frannie (Julianne Moore, c.) and Kim was a dramatic high point in 1986.
In a chilling 1986 scene, Anthony Herrera’s back-from-the-dead James Stenbeck revealed himself to his ex-wife by purring, “Hello, Barbara [Colleen Zenk].”
The surprise romance (and 1987 elopement) of John (Larry Bryggman) and Lucinda (Elizabeth Hubbard) delighted fans.
In 1993, the show traveled to Italy for a story that featured the romance of Emily (Kelley Menighan) and Royce (Terry Lester).
Lily (Martha Byrne) and Holden’s (Jon Hensley) 1998 nuptials were a highlight of their decades-long romance.
The 2001 nuptials of supercouple Jack (Michael Park) and Carly (Maura West) were a fan favorite.
The Snyder farm was the setting for many a boisterous Thanksgiving dinner; this one is from 2007.
The series’ emotional final episode featured Bob’s retirement from the hospital. As always, Bob had Kim by his side.