GENERAL HOSPITAL Through The Years — Relive its Greatest Moments!

By Chris Eades Updated: May 16, 2016

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The longest-running soap currently on the air, GENERAL HOSPITAL premiered as a half-hour soap on April 1, 1963. It expanded to 45 minutes in 1976, and a full hour in 1978. The ratings soared in the early 80s due to the incredible popularity of the legendary supercouple, Luke and Laura, played by Anthony Geary and Genie Francis. The 1981 episode where the characters tied the knot had 30 million viewers and remains the highest rated hour in soap opera history!

Take a look back at some classic characters and moments from GH’s history in our special gallery, and for more about the soap, keep reading the ABC edition of Soaps In Depth magazine!

Gh History 01

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The cast of GH in 1970 — Front Row: John Beradino (Steve), Shelby Hiatt (Jane), and Ray Girardin (Howie). Back Row: Sharon DeBord (Sharon), Rachel Ames (Audrey), Paul Savior (Tom), Craig Huebing (Peter), Emily McLaughlin (Jessie), Martin West (Phil), Peter Hansen (Lee), and Elizabeth Macrae (Meg)
Gh History 02

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John Beradino (Steve) & Emily McLaughlin (Jessie) in 1969
Gh History 03

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Emily McLaughlin (Jessie), Denise Alexander (Lesley), John Beradino (Steve) and Shelby Hiatt (Jane) in a scene from 1973
Gh History 04

ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images
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GH cast circa 1977 — Front row: Unknown, Richard Dean Anderson (Jeff), John Beradino (Steve); Second Row: Emily McLaughlin (Jessie), Rachael Ames (Audrey), Genie Francis (Laura), Unknown, Augusta Dabney (Carolyn), Brooke Bundy (Diana), Mary O'Brien (Heather); Third Row: Craig Huebing (Steve), Michael Gregory (Rick), Unknown, Steve Carlson (Gary), Janice Heiden (Lisa), Stuart Damon (Alan), and Kin Shriner (Scotty)
Gh History 05

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Denise Alexander (Lesley), Michael Gregory (Rick), Genie Francis (Laura), and Kin Shriner (Scotty) in 1977
Gh History 06

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Anthony Geary (Luke) with Kin Shriner (Scotty) and Genie Francis (Laura) in a scene from 1980
Gh History 13

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Jack Wagner (Frisco) and John Stamos (Blackie) in a scene from 1983
Gh History 07

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Anthony Geary and Genie Francis from Luke and Laura's legendary 1981 wedding
Gh History 08

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Tristan Rogers (Robert), Demi Moore (Jackie) and Anthony Geary (Luke) on location in a scene from 1982
Gh History 09

Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images
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Lilly Melgar (Lilly) and Ricky Martin (Miguel) on location in Puerto Rico in 1994
Gh History 10

Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images
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Jonathan Jackson (Lucky) and Amber Tamblyn (Emily) in 1995
Gh History 11

Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images
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The Quartermaine family in 1997: Wally Kurth (Ned), John Ingle (Edward), Anna Lee (Lila), Stuart Damon (Alan), Leslie Charleson (Monica), and Billy Warlock (A.J.)
Gh History 14

Cathy Blaivas/ABC via Getty Images
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Maurice Benard (Sonny) and Vanessa Marcil (Brenda) in a scene from 2010
Gh History 12

Ron Tom/ABC
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Laura Wright (Carly) and Ingo Rademacher (Jax) in 2007
Gh History 17

Michael Yarish/ABC via Getty Images
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Jonathan Jackson (Lucky) and Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth) in 2009
Gh History 15

Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
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Kimberly McCullough (Robin), Jason Thompson (Patrick), and Brooklyn Rae Silzer (Emma) in 2011
Gh History 16

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Kelly Monaco (Sam) and Steve Burton (Jason) in a scene from 2011