Harry Houdini, one of the most celebrated escape artists and magicians of the 20th century, died in a Detroit hospital. The magician suffered from peritonitis, an inflammation of the membrane lining the abdominal wall, which was suspected to be caused by two punches to the stomach 12 days prior. These fatal blows were thrown by a student in one of his lectures after Houdini spoke of the strength of his muscles. Because he didn’t have enough time to prepare for the punches, the magician’s appendix was ruptured and fell ill on a train ride to Detroit.