The Explorers' Club, № MCXC

Operation AXIOM: Between the Wars
31 October 1926: Harry Houdini (the stage name of Erik Weisz, Americanized as Ehrich Weiss, born 24 March 1874), the famous escapologist & illusionist, died of peritonitis & appendicitis at Detroit's Grace Hospital; on 22 October, Houdini received heavy, surprise blows to the abdomen backstage at Montreal's Princess Theatre; his final performance was at Detroit's Garrick Theater on 24 October.

Commentary: It has never been proven, & almost certainly cannot be proven, that the punches "caused" Houdini's death, but whether or not he already had appendicitis that the punches greatly exacerbated, it seems intuitively obvious that the pummelling of his abdomen contributed to his death.

Lest we forget.