HomeHistoryON THIS DAYJanuary 21, 1903

January 21, 1903

Harry Houdini (Erik Weisz) escapes from Halvemaansteeg police station in Amsterdam.

Harry Houdini (Erik Weisz) escapes from Halvemaansteeg police station in Amsterdam.

Houdini was a Hungarian-American escapologistillusionist, and stunt performer noted for his escape acts.

Erik Weisz was born in BudapestKingdom of Hungary to a Jewish family. His parents were Rabbi Mayer Sámuel Weisz (1829–1892) and Cecília Steiner (1841–1913).

Weisz arrived in the United States on July 3, 1878, on the SS Frisia with his mother (who was pregnant) and his four brothers.

He was also a keen aviator and became the first man to fly a powered aircraft in Australia.

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