The soap opera beat out "Guiding Light," "One Life to Live" and "The Young and the Restless" for the honor.

Anthony Geary won the Emmy for lead actor in a drama, while Jeanne Cooper, who is the longest tenured star of "The Young and the Restless," won the award for lead actress.

"I bet you thought I had died," Cooper quipped as she took the stage. "We're still No. 1, guys. Thanks so much."

Cooper's co-star Kristoff St. John earned the prize for supporting actor and Jennifer Landon of "As the World Turns" picked up the award for younger actress.

Gina Tognoni of "Guiding Light" earned the Emmy for supporting actress, while her co-star Tom Pelphrey took home the award for younger actor.

"Thank you. Thank you very much. It's been a crazy year for me," Pelphrey said as he struggled to fight back tears upon accepting his award. "Thank you to everyone at 'Guiding Light' and CBS for everything. I'm very grateful. My mother sitting right here ... This one is for my father and we miss you. Thank you."