After being punched in the abdomen a week earlier, Harry Houdini dies on Sunday, October 31, 1926 at 1:26 PM. For the great showman, Halloween seemed a fitting day to die and this date is now remembered as “National Magic Day.” Despite almost eighty years since his death, Houdini is undoubtedly magic’s best-known entertainer of all time.
He died of a ruptured appendix, due to an abodominal punch given when he was off guard.
I think that Milbourne Christopher, in “The Illustrated History of Magic,” best describes Houdini.
“Harry Houdini, a short muscular man with curly dark hair, an infectious smile and compulsive drive to succeed became a legend in his own time. Unexcelled escape artist, silent film star, scourge of fraudulent mediums, and eventually presenter of an illusion show that many critics said was more exciting than Thurston’s, he had an uncanny understanding of audience psychology.”
It’s no wonder that Houdini’s story continues to form the basis of movies and books. He is remembered for his legendary escapes; showmanship and promotion; the loss of his mother and attempts to reach her through spiritualism; his frustration with mediums and exposure of their methods and his death on Halloween with the storied promise that if anyone could find a way back from the dead, it would be Houdini. All of these aspects contribute to his myth and memory.
I think the truly amazing thing about Houdini is that he is not only the best known magician of all time, he is arguably the best known entertainer of all time. Try to think of an entertainer from his era that is an equal household name today-the only name I come up with is Charlie Chaplin. Houdini continues to hold a place in our culture and history. Now that’s living on...
 Houdini in 1899 | |
| Born | Erik Weisz March 24, 1874 Budapest, Hungary |
|---|---|
| Died | October 31, 1926 (aged 52) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation | Magician, escapologist, stunt performer, actor, historian, film producer, pilot, debunker |
| Years active | 1891–1926 |
| Signature |  |
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