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National Magic Day
Abracadabra! From card tricks to disappearing acts, magic never fails to captivate and leave us in awe. It's simply enchanting!
Looking for a delightful reason to embrace the mystery and magic of the world? Then look no further than National Magic Day!
In the beginning, the idea for National Magic Day started out with something called “Houdini Day”.
The first of these days took place in the summer of 1927, less than one year after the death of the famous magician after whom it was named. His wife presented a trophy in honour of him on that day.
How to Celebrate National Magic Day
Enjoying National Magic Day is meant to be filled with mystery and delight. Check out these ideas for celebrating, or come up with some magical, mysterious ways of your own:
Attend a Magic Show
Nothing beats an in person, real-life magic show! And this is the perfect day to enjoy watching a magician perform their acts of illusion and trickery.
Of course, magic shows happen all over the world at various times, but one of the most common places to find entertainment of all kinds, including magic, is in Las Vegas, of course.
- David Copperfield. It is in Vegas that the MGM Grand houses the David Copperfield Theater. Of course, that’s where Copperfield performs any of his shows, as well as inviting other guest magicians to show off the tricks of the trade.
- Penn & Teller. This is another magic show that is one of the most famous on earth. Housed at the Penn & Teller Theater as well as the Rio All-Suites Hotel, this show combines delightful magic with clever comedy that keeps audiences coming back for more. It is especially enjoyable that Penn does the talking for both of them while Teller (ironically named (never actually speaks on stage).
- Criss Angel. Well known from a previous television series, Angel continues to perform his Mindfreak show that plays at the Criss Angel Theater in the Planet Hollywood Hotel in Vegas. Although a unique character, Angel’s shows are sure to be filled with fascinating illusions as well as wild pyrotechnics. It’s sure to be an unbelievable, immersive experience.
Practice Performing Magic Tricks
Every amateur magician has to start somewhere! From card tricks to pulling a rabbit out of a hat to slicing a person in half, practicing the art of magic and trickery can be loads of fun!
Many cool magic tricks can easily be learned online, such as making a coin appear from behind a person’s ear or how to levitate a card from one hand to the other.
Impress friends and neighbors by holding a little personalized magic show on National Magic Day! Or simply try out tricks on coworkers or family members just for the fun of it.
Join a Magic Club or Circle
Get together with groups of people who have a common bond built around the enjoyment and performance of magic!
This can be an in-person gathering at a local library or school, or possibly a community that meets online. These might meet monthly or quarterly and members are sure to share various trade secrets and ideas while encouraging one another in their skills.
A magic club is a great way to meet new friends and discover more about the world of magic.
The Society of American Magicians (S.A.M) was founded in 1902 in New York City at Martinka’s famous shop of magic.
With tens of thousands of members of the years, including David Copperfield and Harry Houdini, S.A.M. has offered support and friendship to professional and amateur magicians all over the United States.
Can’t find a magic club or circle in the local area? Why not grab a few magician friends, post a notice online or in local bulletin boards, and then just start one!
Read Books About Magic
Even beginners can get into the zone of performing magic tricks by learning from the pros. Try reading one (or all!) of these books to get started on National Magic Day:
- The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Magic Tricks by Tom Ogden. Chock full of tricks for beginners, this book offers a great foundation for those who are just dipping a toe into the world of magic.
- The Amateur Magician’s Handbook by Henry Hayt. This one is for adults and uses a whole lot more words than it does illustrations.
- Now You See It, Now You Don’t by Bill Tarr. Step-by-step instructions and excellent illustrations make this a perfect book to buy for personal use or as a gift for a budding magician.
History of National Magic Day
Harry Houdini is quite probably one of the reasons magic is so popular today and, at the time of his death, he was the most famous member of the Society of American Magicians.
Houdini died in the afternoon on October 31st, 1926 in a hospital in Detroit, Michigan, USA. This date means that October 31 is not only National Magic Day and Halloween, it is also the anniversary of the death of this famous magician.
Born as Ehrich Weiss in Budapest, Hungary, he later changed his name to Harry Houdini. He was most famous for his escape artistry, varying from escaping from chains, ropes, handcuffs and straight jackets while dangling in the air above his audience, to escaping from locked milk can, filled with water.
He went so far as to challenge police in every city he visited to restrain him in their jails and handcuffs – more often than not he was strip-searched first.
National Magic Day FAQs
What was one of the earliest recorded magic tricks?
One of the oldest recorded magic tricks dates back to Ancient Egypt, around 2,500 BCE.
A magician named Dedi of Djed-Sneferu reportedly performed the first-known decapitation illusion, where he severed and then reattached the heads of birds.
This feat was documented in the Westcar Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian text detailing magical performances for Pharaoh Khufu, the builder of the Great Pyramid.
Though the trick’s method remains a mystery, it shows how magic has fascinated audiences for thousands of years.
Why did Houdini challenge spiritualists and psychics?
In the early 20th century, spiritualism became wildly popular, with mediums claiming to communicate with the dead.
Houdini, originally open to the idea, sought proof after his mother’s death. When he found most mediums using trickery, he publicly exposed their fraud through lectures, books, and newspaper articles.
His most famous feud was with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, who was a firm believer in spiritualism. Houdini’s efforts led to tighter regulations on psychic fraud and the exposure of numerous hoaxes.
Are there any secret societies for magicians?
Yes! One of the most famous is The Magic Circle, founded in London in 1905.
It remains an exclusive organization for professional magicians, requiring members to take an oath never to reveal secrets. Another is
The Society of American Magicians, founded in 1902 and once led by Houdini. These groups exchange knowledge, host conventions, and help preserve the art of magic.
There are even underground magician societies, where only invitation-only members get access to the latest illusions.
What is the longest-running magic trick in history?
The Cups and Balls trick has been performed for over 2,000 years!
The routine, which involves making balls disappear and reappear under cups, has been depicted in Egyptian paintings, described in ancient Roman texts, and remains a must-know trick for modern magicians.
Even legendary performers like Penn & Teller, David Copperfield, and Dai Vernon have put their own spin on this timeless illusion.
What’s the strangest magical superstition?
Many magicians avoid wearing green while performing because of an old superstition from French theater traditions.
In the 17th century, green costumes were believed to bring bad luck, as green dye contained arsenic, leading to illness.
Magicians also follow unique rituals, like carrying a rabbit’s foot for luck or performing a “silent rehearsal” before a show to absorb the energy of the space before an audience arrives.
What’s the biggest magic trick ever attempted?
One of the largest illusions ever staged was by David Copperfield, who made the Statue of Liberty disappear on live television in 1983.
Using a giant rotating platform and strategic lighting, he created the illusion that the statue had vanished.
Another daring attempt was Criss Angel’s “Building Walk”, where he seemingly walked down the side of a building without wires. These grand illusions take months or even years to perfect.
What’s the origin of the magician’s top hat and wand?
The top hat became a magician’s signature in the 19th century, mainly due to Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, the “father of modern magic.”
He revolutionized stage magic by ditching wizard robes and wearing formal suits to gain credibility.
The wand, on the other hand, dates back to ancient magic rituals, where priests used them to cast “spells”. Modern magicians use wands for misdirection, keeping the audience’s focus away from their sleight-of-hand.
What’s the most dangerous magic trick ever performed?
The Bullet Catch is considered the deadliest trick in magic history. At least 15 magicians have died attempting it.
First documented in the 1600s, the trick involves a magician appearing to catch a fired bullet in their teeth.
Houdini refused to perform it due to its risk. The trick claimed the life of magician Chung Ling Soo in 1918 when a gun malfunctioned, firing a live round instead of a blank.
Do animals play a role in magic history?
Yes! Doves, rabbits, and even elephants have been used in magic for centuries.
The rabbit-in-the-hat trick became famous in the 18th century, though pulling animals from hidden compartments dates back further.
Magicians like P.T. Selbit even used live tigers in acts. Houdini once made a live elephant vanish on stage! Animal magic remains controversial, and many modern magicians now use digital illusions instead.
What’s the record for the longest straight magic show?
The world record for the longest continuous magic show was set by magician Martin Rees in 2021, performing tricks for 24 hours and 22 minutes straight!
His show included over 400 tricks, ranging from card manipulations to vanishing objects. Magicians often attempt endurance feats, like David Blaine’s “Frozen in Time”, where he spent 63 hours encased in ice.
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