National Magic Day

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.

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.

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.