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Interesting US History
A Website Devoted to Interesting Events in U.S. History

 

 
 

 

ON THIS DAY IN UNITED STATES HISTORY

October 22, 1926

Harry Houdini is Punched in the Abdomen by
McGill University Student Gordon Whitehead

On this day in 1926, McGill University student Gordon Whitehead punched Harry Houdini in the abdomen during a stunt which was supposed to show his dexterity. Houdini died nine days later from peritonitis caused by a ruptured appendix probably from that incident.

Houdini was best known for his amazing escapes from everything from milk cans to coffins. Although peritonitis is listed as the cause of death, others believe he was murdered by poison which in 2007 prompted his family to request his body be exhumed for testing. This of course begs the question. When they dig up his grave, will he be there?