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October 25-31 Proclaimed National Magic Week

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Contributed by: Edmund Malinowski on 10/23/2009

On October 13, 2009, the Board of the Martin County Commissioners proclaimed the last week in October as National Magic Week . The proclamation was prepared by the local chapter of the Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.) that meets every fourth Tuesday of the month at the Port St. Lucie Bowling Alley. Al Chiaverini, president of the S.A.M. Assembly, hilighted the ceremony by magically producing a dove. He was accompanied by fellow magicians Ben Caraggio, Paul Hilko and Jay Rene.

S.A.M. is the oldest fraternal magic organization in the world. It was founded on May 10, 1902 in Martina's Magic Shop in New York City for the purpose of advancing, elevating and preserving the art of magic. It expanded under the leadership of Harry Houdini during his term as National President from 1917 to 1926. Every year, its members pay tribute to Houdini on the day of his death in a ceremony known as the "Broken Wand Ceremony."

Houdini died on Halloween October 31, 1926. His body is entombed in the Machpelah Cemetery in Queens, NY. He had a secret word that only he and his wife, Bess, knew. If he were able to contact her from the afterland she would know it was him and not some phony stunt.

Bess posted a $10,000 award to anyone who could contact Houdini and reveal the secret word. Although there were numerous attempts, no one was able to claim the award.

On October 31, 1936, ten years after Houdini's death, Bess attended a special seance on the roof of the Knickerbocher Hotel in Hollywood accompanied by 200 prominent magicians and guests. The half-hour seance was broadcast around the world.

Harry did not appear, did not speak, did not snap the handcuffs, did not ring the bell, did not blow the horn, and did not blow out the candle. When the seance ended Bess lamented, "My last hope is gone. The spirits do not exist."

Some time later Bess revealed the secret word. It was "Rosebell," a favorite song from their younger days.

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