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Houdini’s Final Disappearance Turns 100 Today
Harry Houdini died in Detroit on Halloween 1926, making today the centennial of an ending that became another Houdini legend.
Houdini’s death centennial
When: October 31, 2026
Died: October 31, 1926, age 52
Cause: Peritonitis resulting from appendicitis
Archive: Library of Congress
The famous story says a student’s surprise punches ruptured his appendix. The punches happened, but the Library of Congress notes the medical connection is doubtful; delayed treatment was likely decisive. Houdini also left the Library roughly 4,000 books on magic, spiritualism and the occult. Even his afterlife came with excellent research material.
