It’s officially March 24th and in case Google’s themed banner on their homepage didn’t tip you off, today marks the 137th birthday of America’s most legendary and influential magicians of the early 20th century – Harry Houdini. But for all his contributions to stage magic and his immortal legacy, not many people know much about him beyond the fact that he was a master escape artist. Houdini was born Eric Weisz on March 24, 1874 in Budapest, Hungary to Jewish parents and was one of seven siblings. Early in his youth, his family traveled to America and settled in Appleton, Wisconsin before ultimately moving to New York. Learn more about Houdini after the jump!

Today we morn the loss of one of our biggest heroes here at COED. After a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, Patrick Swayze passed away with his family at his side. He was 57. But rather dwell in sadness and sorrow for perhaps film’s all-time biggest badass, let’s take a moment to remember the man and the roles that drove us crazy for the Swayze. “Via Con Dios” dude. We will miss you.

Patrick Swayze’s manager has issued a statement confirming the report by The National Enquirer, stating that he does indeed have pancreatic cancer and is given weeks to live by doctors.
Here is the statement issued by Swayze’s management through Page Six:
Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and might on… Click to read more