Celebrating: Back to Hogwarts!

It is “Back to Hogwarts” Day! Today, muggles and No-Maj’s around the world celebrate the day students return to Hogwarts in the Harry Potter books. Pottermore announced that they would be celebrating across all media channels, and gave fans the opportunity to share pictures showing their Hogwarts pride. J.K. Rowling, Fantastic Beasts, Cursed Child, official Harry Potter social media accounts all posted in celebration.

It’s #BackToHogwarts day! We’re celebrating across our social channels, make sure you share your pictures with us! pic.twitter.com/mFd3Cl29s4

— Pottermore (@pottermore) September 1, 2016

Need a map? #BacktoHogwarts pic.twitter.com/U7OEVXueiO — Harry Potter Film (@HarryPotterFilm) September 1, 2016

What makes this Hogwarts Day more special then your typical September 1 return to (wizarding) school day? Depending on how you calculate “19 years late” 2016 or 2017 could officially marks “19 years later”–the date of the epilogue of the last Harry Potter novel. In Harry Potter canon, Albus Severus’s official first trip to Hogwarts could be today. Fittingly, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which tells the story of Albus Severus’s time at school, was released this year so it would be awesome if it was 2016.

If you’re confused, don’t worry, so is J.K. Rowling. After initially posting “If you’re at King’s Cross, the Potter, Granger-Weasley and Malfoy families are there too. Albus Severus starts school today. #19YearsLater,” in a now deleted tweet, Jo corrected herself, saying:

I got the year wrong: blame #CursedChild! In my head it’s already 19 years later! #BackToHogwarts

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 1, 2016

  However, if you count by school year rather than calendar year, 2016 would be there year. This fan came to the rescue, pointing out his calculations:  

@jk_rowling no you were right, it really 19 years later! I did the calculations (it’s in french but we understand) pic.twitter.com/hGuJ71ldsD — scorpius (@cuthpayne) September 1, 2016

Kings Cross Station was even in on the action, posting Hogwarts as a destination on their departure board (yes, we know the Hogwarts Express leaves at 11:00, but it’s the thought that counts!).

Don’t miss the train, its about to leave! #BackToHogwarts #HogwartsExpress pic.twitter.com/yztUkGSWRa — VisitEngland (@VisitEngland) September 1, 2016

Pottermore spent all day blowing up people’s twitter notifications with photos of fans in their Hogwarts robes, celebrating Hogwarts Day. Like Harry, Hogwarts is a home, a refuge to many of fans (us included). Please join us in celebrating Hogwarts Day by sharing pictures and descriptions of how you celebrated #BackToHogwarts today!