Days of our Lives storylines (1960s)

This is a listing of all major storylines from Days of our Lives.

The Hortons

When the show debuted in 1965, it centered around the Horton family. Dr Tom Horton and his wife Alice had five children: Tom Jr., who had been presumed dead in the Korean war; Addie, who was Tom Jr.'s Twin; Lawyer Mickey; Bill, a doctor, and the youngest daughter Marie. Addie married Ben Olson and had two teenage children: Julie and Steve. Because Addie married into wealth and status, Addie tended to look down upon her siblings, particularly Marie. Meanwhile, Marie was engaged to Tony Merrit.

Problems soon beset the Horton Family. Tony learned he had a terminal illness and cancelled his engagement to Marie; Marie then attempted [...]. Tom was forced to save his daughter's life, but unfortunately another patient of his died while waiting for his care. A malpractice suit followed and Marie eventually confessed that her father chose to save her life while the other patient was in need of more urgent care. Tom was cleared.

David, Julie and Susan

Addie's daughter Julie always felt neglected by her parents, and in the opening episode of the first show Julie stole a fur to get arrested on purpose in a dramatic bid for attention. Julie's sense of abandonment worsened when her parents and her brother moved to Paris early in 1966. Julie, who had been left behind in Tom and Alice's care, began seeing David Martin on the side. Unfortunately, David slept with Julie's best friend Susan and got her pregnant. David married Susan to give the baby a name, intending to divorce her after the baby was born to marry Julie. However, after Susan gave birth the baby died while in David's care. Susan blamed David and shot and killed him. Susan stood trial for the [...], but was let off thanks to her lawyer, Mickey and the testimony of psychiatrist Laura Spencer. Julie, who was now pregnant by David, ended up giving her baby away.

Bill, Laura and Mickey

Susan's trial leads to two storylines that would be the main focus of the show for several years. The first of these was of course the rivalry between Susan and Julie, while the second of these was the battle between brothers Bill and Mickey over the affections of Laura Spencer, a storyline that is still fondly remembered by Days fans today. Laura had been engaged to Bill, but after Bill learned that he had tuberculosis of the hand, he left town, devastating Laura. Laura soon picked herself up and attempted to move on. During Susan's trial, Laura became close to Mickey and the two married. Bill had returned at this point, and was stunned to learn that his brother married the woman that he still loved. One night in 1968, A drunk Bill visited Laura and forced himself on her. Soon after the [...], Laura learned that she was pregnant. Tom was aghast at the news because he knew that Mickey was sterile and thus Laura must have been with another man. Tom confronted Laura and learned the dreadful secret that she had been raped by Bill. When Tom learned that his son had raped his own brother's wife, he agreed with Laura that Mickey should never know the truth AbOUT what happened.