BLACK HISTORY MOMENT: FEBRUARY 8, 1986 ~ OPRAH WINFREY'S SHOW IS NATIONALLY SYNDICATED
On Feb. 8, 1986, the Oprah Winfrey Show became nationally syndicated. Her very first show featured the topic “How to Marry the Man or Woman of Your Choice.” Interestingly, that was not the first choice as guest for the day. Producers had worked avidly to book Miami Vice’s Don Johnson, who refused. The show ran every day from 1986 until 2011, when Winfrey decided not to renew her contract. Instead, she focused on her new network, OWN.
