Today in History: Harry Houdini
Today in History–June 22–the Library of Congress features Harry Houdini, king of handcuffs. Houdini married on this date in 1894 and never once attempted to escape from his wife Beatrice. Did you also know that before Google was a verb, Houdini was? Get more amazing information by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more resources about Houdini and other magicians.
Recollecting Houdini (see pp. 12-13 of oral history transcript)
The American Memory Houdini Collection
The Last Tour American Treasures from the Library of Congress
Timeline & select newspaper articles: Harry Houdini, Master Magician
More historical newspaper coverage of Houdini
Articles about Houdini
Library blog posts about Houdini
- Harry Houdini, Ghostbuster: Exploring an Illusionist’s Exposés through Primary Sources Teaching with the Library of Congress October 12, 2017
- Harry Houdini Goes to Washington Headlines and Heroes August 21, 2018
- Harry Houdini: (How to Be a) Smooth Criminal Library of Congress Blog October 28, 2019
- Harry Houdini’s Rare Magic Books Inside Adams
- Hollywood, Houdini and the Halloween Seance of 1936 Library of Congress Blog October 30, 2020
- It’s Magic! Ye Olde Hocus Pocus Library of Congress Blog July 15, 2021