Howard Thurston
1869 - 1936
The Canadian Conservatory of Magic is proud to present its special section dedicated to the ephemeris of conjuring. This section explores the fascinating history of magic throughout the year, highlighting significant events, iconic artists, and innovations that have shaped this art. We invite enthusiasts and the curious to dive into the captivating world of illusion and magic and celebrate this extraordinary heritage.
Magic in history
01
April
1837: The Wizard of the North - Theatre Royal - Aberdeen, Scotland
1862: Carl Herrmann - Bryan Hall - Chicago
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903:
- Adelaïde Herrmann - Shea's Theatre - Toronto
- Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Park Theatre - Philadelphia
1906: Leon Herrmann - Orpheum - Omaha
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909: Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1912: Thurston - Crown Theatre - Chicago
1915: Thurston - Walnut Street Theatre - Philadelphia
1916: Houdini - Palace Theatre - New York
03
April
1862: Carl Herrmann - Bryan Hall - Chicago
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903:
- Adelaïde Herrmann - Shea's Theatre - Toronto
- Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1906: Leon Herrmann - Orpheum - Omaha
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909: Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1915: Thurston - Walnut Street Theatre - Philadelphia
2001: "Copperfield: Tornado of Fire" airs on CBS
This 17th and final David Copperfield television special, broadcast on CBS, exists in two versions: a 60-minute version for North American broadcast and a 90-minute version for international broadcast
05
April
1862: Carl Herrmann - Bryan Hall - Chicago
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903: Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1906: Leon Herrmann - Orpheum - Omaha
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909: Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1915: Thurston - Colonial Theatre - Baltimore
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1925: Houdini - Keith's Theatre - Cincinnati
1937: Cardini - Victoria Palace - London
1962:
- Birth of Alain Choquette
- Profile of Alain Choquette in Zombie magazine no. 1
07
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903: Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1906:
- Leon Herrmann - Orpheum - Omaha
- Houdini - Keith's Theatre - Boston
1907: Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - Kansas City
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909: Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1915: Thurston - Colonial Theatre - Baltimore
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1925: Houdini - Keith's Theatre - Cincinnati
2026: At 5:28 PM, a fire breaks out in the attic of the Magic Castle in Los Angeles. Firefighters quickly bring the blaze under control, preventing a disaster. Roof repairs are believed to be the cause of the fire
09
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903: Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1906: Leon Herrmann - Orpheum - Kansas City
1907: Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - Kansas City
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909: Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1915: Thurston - Colonial Theatre - Baltimore
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1925: Houdini - Keith's Theatre - Cincinnati
1991: "The Magic of David Copperfield XIII: Mystery on the Orient Express" airs on CBS
2020: Start of the series "Dynamo: Beyond Belief" on SKY
11
April
1864: Robert Heller - French Theatre - New York
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903: Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1906: Leon Herrmann - Orpheum - Kansas City
1907: Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - Kansas City
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909: Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1913: Chung Ling Soo - Coliseum - London
1914: Harry Bouton & Co. - Auditorium - Québec
1915: Thurston - Colonial Theatre - Baltimore
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1919: Thurston - Lyric Theatre - Cincinnati
1925: Houdini - Keith's Theatre - Cincinnati
1929:
- Birth of Mark Wilson
- Visit the Mark Wilson exhibition (exclusive to members)
13
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903:
- Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - New York
- Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
- Kellar - Majestic Theatre - Boston
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1906: Leon Herrmann - Orpheum - Kansas City
1907: Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - Kansas City
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Jersey City
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1915: Thurston - Orpheum - Philadelphia
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1919: Thurston - MacCauley's Theatre - Louisville, KY
1931: Thurston - Tremont Theatre - Boston
1936:
- Death of Howard Thurston (aged 66)
- Visit the Howard Thurston exhibition (exclusive to members)
15
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903:
- Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - New York
- Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Jersey City
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1915: Thurston - Orpheum - Philadelphia
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1919: Thurston - MacCauley's Theatre - Louisville, KY
1984: Tommy Cooper died live on television while a guest on the ITV program "Live from Her Majesty's". He was 63 years old
1999: Death of Don Alan (aged 73)
17
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903:
- Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - New York
- Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905:
- Adelaïde Herrmann - Victoria Theatre - New York
- Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Jersey City
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1913: Houdini officially opens the "Magician's Club of London". The club was founded in 1911 by Harry Houdini, Will Goldston and Servais Le Roy
1915: Thurston - Orpheum - Philadelphia
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1919: Thurston - MacCauley's Theatre - Louisville, KY
2013: Premiere of the film "Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay" starring Ricky Jay and Dick Cavett. The film is directed by Molly Bernstein and distributed by Kino Lorber
19
April
1864: Birth of Samuel Cox Hooker (Dr. Hooker)
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1885: Death of Louis Hasselmayer (aged 46)
1903:
- Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
- Leon Herrmann - Grand Opera House - Kansas City
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Novelty Theatre - Brooklyn, NY
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1910: Thurston - Penn Theatre - Philadelphia
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1919: Thurston - MacCauley's Theatre - Louisville, KY
1920: Thurston - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1986: Penn & Teller's fifth appearance on the NBC comedy show "Saturday Night Live"
21
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903:
- Leon Herrmann - Grand Opera House - Kansas City
- Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Novelty Theatre - Brooklyn, NY
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1910: Thurston - Penn Theatre - Philadelphia
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1919: Thurston - Hartman Theatre - Columbus, OH
1920: Thurston - Temple Theatre - Detroit
23
April
1868: The Davenport Brothers - St. George's Hall - London
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903:
- Leon Herrmann - Grand Opera House - Kansas City
- Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Novelty Theatre - Brooklyn, NY
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1910: Thurston - Penn Theatre - Philadelphia
1913: Death of Paul Valadon (aged 45)
This talented magician of German origin was considered a likely successor to Kellar, but in 1907, Howard Thurston abruptly returned to America and signed a contract with Kellar, becoming the country's new star magician. Valadon continued his vaudeville career for only a few years and died almost penniless
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1919: Thurston - Hartman Theatre - Columbus, OH
1920: Thurston - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1935: Blackstone - Globe Theatre - Bridgeport, CT
25
April
1868: The Davenport Brothers - St. George's Hall - London
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903:
- Leon Herrmann - Grand Opera House - Kansas City
- Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Metropolis Theatre - New York
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1910: Thurston - Metropolis Theatre - New York
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1919: Thurston - Hartman Theatre - Columbus, OH
1922: Houdini - Palace Theatre - New York
27
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903: Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Metropolis Theatre - New York
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1910: Thurston - Metropolis Theatre - New York
1913: First "Ladies Night" at Houdini's The Magicians' Club in London
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1922: Houdini - Palace Theatre - New York
1998: "The World's Most Dangerous Magic" airs on NBC
29
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903: Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Metropolis Theatre - New York
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1910: Thurston - Metropolis Theatre - New York
1919: Thurston - Grand Theatre - Akron, OH
1922: Houdini - Palace Theatre - New York
02
April
1861:
- Birth of Chung Ling Soo
- Visit the Chung Ling Soo exhibition (exclusive to members)
1862: Carl Herrmann - Bryan Hall - Chicago
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903:
- Adelaïde Herrmann - Shea's Theatre - Toronto
- Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1906: Leon Herrmann - Orpheum - Omaha
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909: Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1912: Thurston - Crown Theatre - Chicago
1915: Thurston - Walnut Street Theatre - Philadelphia
1922: Premiere in the United States of the film "The Man from Beyond" starring, written, produced and distributed by Harry Houdini
04
April
1862: Carl Herrmann - Bryan Hall - Chicago
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903:
- Adelaïde Herrmann - Shea's Theatre - Toronto
- Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1906: Leon Herrmann - Orpheum - Omaha
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909: Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1915: Thurston - Walnut Street Theatre - Philadelphia
1973:
- Birth of David Blaine
- Profile of David Blaine in Zombie magazine no. 6
06
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903: Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1906: Leon Herrmann - Orpheum - Omaha
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909: Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1914: Ching Ling Foo - Shea's Theatre - Buffalo
1915: Thurston - Colonial Theatre - Baltimore
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1925: Houdini - Keith's Theatre - Cincinnati
1938:
- Birth of Paul Daniels
- Visit the Paul Daniels exhibition (exclusive to members)
1984: "The Magic of David Copperfield VI: Floating Over the Grand Canyon" airs on CBS
08
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903: Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1906: Leon Herrmann - Orpheum - Kansas City
1907: Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - Kansas City
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909: Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1915: Thurston - Colonial Theatre - Baltimore
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1925: Houdini - Keith's Theatre - Cincinnati
1944: Premiere of the film "Shine On Harvest Moon" starring Ann Sheridan and Jack Carson. The film was directed by David Butler and distributed by Warner Bros.
1983: "The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty Disappears" airs on CBS
10
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903: Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1906: Leon Herrmann - Orpheum - Kansas City
1907: Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - Kansas City
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909: Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1915: Thurston - Colonial Theatre - Baltimore
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1925: Houdini - Keith's Theatre - Cincinnati
2009: Premiere of the film "The Great Buck Howard" starring John Malkovich, Tom Hanks, and Ricky Jay. The film is directed by Sean McGinly and distributed by Magnolia Pictures
12
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903: Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1906: Leon Herrmann - Orpheum - Kansas City
1907: Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - Kansas City
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Jersey City
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1915: Thurston - Orpheum - Philadelphia
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1933: Cardini - Palace Theatre - New York
Born Richard Valentine Pitchford, Cardini developed a silent manipulation act with cards, billiard balls, and cigarettes, unique in the history of magic. His impeccable technique, his art of misdirection, and his elegant style earned him immense success and profound respect
14
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1902: Kellar - Boston Theatre - Boston
1903:
- Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - New York
- Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1906: Leon Herrmann - Orpheum - Kansas City
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Jersey City
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1915: Thurston - Orpheum, Philadelphia
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
Charles Joseph Carter was an influential magician who captivated audiences worldwide with his incredible illusions. Rather than competing with other great magicians in major cities, Carter focused on performing in the most remote parts of the globe, where audiences rarely had the opportunity to see magic shows
1919: Thurston - MacCauley's Theatre - Louisville, KY
16
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903:
- Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - New York
- Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Jersey City
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1915: Thurston - Orpheum - Philadelphia
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1919: Thurston - MacCauley's Theatre - Louisville, KY
18
April
1864: Death of Ludwig Döbler (aged 62)
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903:
- Adelaïde Herrmann - Orpheum - New York
- Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1904: Adelaïde Herrmann - Columbia Theatre - St-Louis
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1908: Kellar & Thurston - Lincoln Square Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Majestic Theatre - Jersey City
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1910: Thurston - Penn Theatre - Philadelphia
1915: Thurston - Orpheum - Philadelphia
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1919: Thurston - MacCauley's Theatre - Louisville, KY
1920: Thurston - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1922: Houdini - Times Square Theatre - New York
1949: Robert Harbin - Empire Theatre - Dewsbury, England
2000:
- Death of José Garcimore (aged 59)
- Visit the José Garcimore exhibition (exclusive to members)
20
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903:
- Leon Herrmann - Grand Opera House - Kansas City
- Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Novelty Theatre - Brooklyn, NY
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1910: Thurston - Penn Theatre, Philadelphia
1914: Ching Ling Foo - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1919: Thurston - Hartman Theatre - Columbus, OH
1920: Thurston - Temple Theatre - Detroit
22
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903:
- Leon Herrmann - Grand Opera House - Kansas City
- Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905:
- John Nevil Maskelyne opened his new theatre in London: The New Home of Mystery
- Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Novelty Theatre - Brooklyn, NY
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1910: Thurston - Penn Theatre - Philadelphia
1912: Thurston - Auditorium - Baltimore
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1919: Thurston - Hartman Theatre - Columbus, OH
1920: Thurston - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1930: Death of Albert M. Wilson (aged 75)
1964: Birth of Réjean Pagé
24
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903:
- Leon Herrmann - Grand Opera House - Kansas City
- Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Metropolis Theatre - New York
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1919: Thurston - Hartman Theatre - Columbus, OH
1920: Thurston - Temple Theatre - Detroit
1922: Houdini - Palace Theatre - New York
1966: Robert Harbin presents his new illusion "the Zig Zag Woman" for the first time on the show "Sunday Night at the London Palladium."
26
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903: Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Metropolis Theatre - New York
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1910: Thurston - Metropolis Theatre - New York
1916: Houdini - Maryland Theatre - Baltimore
1918: Carter - Belmont Theatre - New York
1919: Thurston - Hartman Theatre - Columbus, OH
1921: A fire breaks out at the Burtis Theater in Davenport, Iowa, destroying all of Alexander, the Man Who Knows' equipment. The damage is estimated at over $20,000
1922: Houdini - Palace Theatre - New York
28
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1892: Birth of Joseph Dunninger
1903: Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Metropolis Theatre - New York
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1910: Thurston - Metropolis Theatre - New York
1919: Thurston - Grand Theatre - Akron, OH
1922: Houdini - Palace Theatre - New York
1943:
- Birth of Gérard Majax
- Visit the Gérard Majax exhibition (exclusive to members)
- Profile of Gérard Majax in Zombie magazine no. 3
2017: Première du film "Sleight" avec Jacob Latimore. Le film est réalisé par J.D. Dillard et distribué par High Top Releasing.
30
April
1875: Kellar - Teatro Solis - Montevideo, Uruguay
1903: Houdini - Wintergarten - Berlin, Germany
1905: Kellar & Paul Valadon - Majestic Theatre - New York
1906: Adelaïde Herrmann - Proctor's 58th Street - New York
1909:
- Thurston - Metropolis Theatre - New York
- Houdini - Alhambra - Paris
1910: Thurston - Metropolis Theatre - New York
1919: Thurston - Grand Theatre - Akron, OH
1995: A violent fire completely destroys the "Houdini Magical Hall of Fame" in Niagara Falls, Canada
2022:
- Death of Shimada (aged 81)
- Visit the Shimada exhibition (exclusive to members)
2026: After 25 years on the stage of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, David Copperfield presents his final show
April 30, 1995
Priceless artifacts once used by famed magician Harry Houdini, including the notorious Chinese Water Torture Cell, were destroyed when fire swept through the Houdini Magical Hall of Fame.
The fire caused an estimated 100,000$ in damage to the museum building, but owner Henry Muller said up to $3-million worth of equipment and documents were also lost.
The Houdini Magical Hall of Fame first opened in June 1968 at 1019 Centre Street. Four years later it moved to 4983 Clifton Hill, where it remained until the April 1995 suspicious fire.
The collection has been a tourist attraction in Niagara Falls since it was put on display in 1968.