(CBS Publicity)

As the World Turns will soon stop turning, as CBS announced that the long running soap opera will be drawing to a close in September of 2010. The show, which followed five generations of families in the fictional town of Oakdale, Illinois, has fallen victim to the harsh economic climate and dwindling ratings.

The twists and turns of As the World Turns will come to close next September. (astheworldturns.net)
As the World Turns boasted the longest-running television character in history — prickly family matriarch Nancy Hughes, (played by the 91-year-old Helen Wagner). Other characters have seen plenty of ups and downs as well. Lisa Grimaldi (played by Eileen Fulton) has been on the show for 50 years, and has seen nine marriages come and go. That's a lot of intense close ups.

It's the end of an era for more reason than one, as it also marks last soap opera produced by Procter & Gamble. The company is the reason we use the term "soap opera," after creating the long-running serials as a way of pitching their soap, laundry detergent and other domestic good to consumers. Earlier this year, CBS cancelled the other remaining Procter & Gamble soap opera, Guiding Light.

Want to relive some of all that that history? We've been enjoying this fan tribute to the show, created by YouTube user atwtfan26. Enjoy!