20 Years Later: Celebrating Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling and Fans
Jun 26, 2017
Bloomsbury, Books, Composers, Events, Exclusives, Fan Art, Fan Events, Fan Sites, Fans, Films, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Harry Potter and the Philosophers / Sorcerers Stone, HP Cast, Isaacs, Leaky, LeakyCon, MinaLima, Movie Art, Music, News, Pottermore, Publishers, Round-Up, Scholastic, Studio Tour, Wizard Rock, Wright
Today marks twenty (yup, 20) years since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published.
It’s difficult to put into words appreciation for a series which has given all of us so much, or to thank all the people involved in bringing it to us in so many different forms, and before we show you all the wonderful things people have done to say thanks, we’d like to say a few things!
I remember listening to End of An Era by Oliver Boyd & The Remembralls when Deathly Hallows was being released (CAN WE BRING BACK WROCK FOR FANTASTIC BEASTS ALREADY?), and feeling an overwhelming sense of loss and gratitude. It still surprises me just how much the Potter series reminds you how human you are, purely because you find yourself feeling so much. Laughing at every joke, rapidly turning pages at each twist, shedding a tear at each heartwarming moment and bawling at each death (or yelling at the book – to be fair, Jo does apologise every year!). The talent that creates those emotions and enthusiasm in readers is rare and wonderful, and it’s no surprise that it’s been so successful.
This series belongs to all of us – fans new and old. Whether you’ve come to us through the books, the films, the play or somewhere else, the best thing about Harry Potter is that its beauty is in the way fans can come together to achieve (as Hogwarts Running Club would say) SO MUCH GOOD. Volunteering through the Harry Potter Alliance, meeting up and connecting at fan events like LeakyCon, and creating beautiful art and music inspired by the series – from John Williams and MinaLima to wrock and fan art – to express important messages we’ve learned. Potter has well and truly carved a place in history, and what a time to be alive to appreciate it!
J.K. Rowling found a way to express that being different is okay, and that we can find happiness and comfort in friendship and acceptance, and that we can overcome the worst evils if we look past our differences and weaknesses and unite in the name of love. It’s a beautiful message, and 20 years on we all struggle to thank J.K. Rowling for persisting, writing tirelessly and getting this story out to us. But truly, from all of us here at Leaky, thank you for changing our lives and bringing us together!
These stories have inspired activists, artists, scientists, academics, other writers and fans across the globe, and they continue to grow and thrive twenty years later. Here’s to another twenty years (and many more!) of watching each other grow with this story.
Without further delay, we present to you a collection of celebrations across Facebook and Twitter to mark the occasion – enjoy!
J.K. Rowling said it best, perfectly summarising how the series has brought us together:
20 years ago today a world that I had lived in alone was suddenly open to others. It's been wonderful. Thank you.#HarryPotter20
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2017
We got a new Twitter emoji (#HarryPotter20) to celebrate, an interactive board at Kings Cross, and Facebook even gave us a special surprise:
Introducing a new Twitter emoji celebrating the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone! #HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/9fNo1R9E5J
— Pottermore (@pottermore) June 26, 2017
Celebrate 20 years of magic with us today! Use #HarryPotter20 and your tweet could be displayed in King's Cross: https://t.co/jS7KtSjUtE pic.twitter.com/V7zZmmHwPH
— Pottermore (@pottermore) June 26, 2017
There’s also a quiz you can take, it’s quite hard!
Think you know everything about the first Harry Potter book? Test your knowledge with our Philosopher's Stone Quiz: https://t.co/jU4qtCbqhE pic.twitter.com/NZwKy2YDrK
— Pottermore (@pottermore) June 26, 2017
Fans have also been sharing what the series means to them with Pottermore:
It's 20 years since Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was published in the UK. What does Harry Potter mean to you? #HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/socVS5i9qn
— Pottermore (@pottermore) June 26, 2017
#HarryPotter20 The books were my comfort and hope when things were bad. And the best companion on rainy days.
— Sheeba Mammen (@Sheebabooklover) June 26, 2017
Harry Potter's world is the most wonderful world for me. All books are full of magic, friendship and kindness. Thanks, @jk_rowling ❤
— a_saushy. (@aSaushy) June 26, 2017
Harry Potter made me into what I am. Every new book changed me, transformed me, comforted me and made me whole. I owe a lot to these books.
— Gabrihell🔥 (@isthatbiel) June 26, 2017
#HarryPotter20 my fabulous fiancé used my love for Harry Potter when he proposed to me the other day! Placing the ring inside a book! 💍💕 pic.twitter.com/8poQXdbys9
— Naomi Pratten (@naomilouisee) June 26, 2017
Bloomsbury have also been celebrating after breaking a Guinness World Record!
We are still buzzing after breaking the @GWR on Friday for #HarryPotter20! Check out the video we've put together: https://t.co/DQBVJ7aftC pic.twitter.com/Hh5ICjFUF9
— Bloomsbury UK (@BloomsburyBooks) June 26, 2017
Sorry I'm late for work. Had to stop for 2 coffees while I admired this. #harrypotter20 pic.twitter.com/lKTpUsOUSD
— Rebecca McNally (@rebeccamcnal) June 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/BloomsburyB…/status/879297144955514880
They also got fans’ verdicts on their favourite character – Hermione!
You voted in your thousands and we’re pleased to say that your favourite Harry Potter character is … HERMIONE GRANGER! ❤️️💛#HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/ru2zPoBYox
— Bloomsbury UK (@BloomsburyBooks) June 26, 2017
(See thread below for full top 20)
So here it is… YOUR top 20 Harry Potter characters #HarryPotter20
— Bloomsbury UK (@BloomsburyBooks) June 26, 2017
This infographic is wonderful:
We 💜 this '20 fun facts about Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone' infographic! #HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/wA24jc4pHe
— Bloomsbury UK (@BloomsburyBooks) June 26, 2017
They also got people’s favourite magical memories from reading the series:
Bloomsberries are sharing their favourite magical moment reading Harry Potter #HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/ligoyt74A2
— Bloomsbury UK (@BloomsburyBooks) June 26, 2017
Happy birthday Harry! #harrypotter20 pic.twitter.com/QzRDgKXfGl
— Clare Povey (@ClareFPovey) June 26, 2017
And produced a tear-jerker of a video:
Happy #HarryPotter20! Relive ALL THE FEELS of 20 years of reading Harry Potter with our celebratory video. https://t.co/tM2BHepMNw
— Bloomsbury UK (@BloomsburyBooks) June 26, 2017
LeakyCon’s video on the team’s appreciation for the series and memories will also have you sniffling!
The British Library shared their excitement to open A History of Magic exhibition in partnership with J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World & Bloomsbury:
Delighted to be part of #HarryPotter20! We're busy preparing for our exhibition and can't wait for things to get magical at the Library… pic.twitter.com/hbq5XGOHpo
— The British Library (@britishlibrary) June 26, 2017
Meet our #BLHarryPotter curators with their well-loved copies of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Share your photos! #HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/oqpvMoAGl7
— The British Library (@britishlibrary) June 26, 2017
MinaLima marked the date:
20 years ago #HarryPotterandThePhilosophersStone was published; we met a boy who received a letter to a magical place! 🤓⚡️#HarryPotter20! pic.twitter.com/KI8U3keKJY
— MinaLima (@minalima) June 26, 2017
Cursed Child are celebrating with a competition for all theatre-goers!
The #CursedChild cast celebrate #HarryPotter20! The #PhilosophersStone was first published on this day 20 years ago. pic.twitter.com/3QqNRRXbwO
— Harry Potter Play (@HPPlayLDN) June 26, 2017
This week, to celebrate #HarryPotter20, audience members at the Palace Theatre could win a copy of #PhilosophersStone in their house colours pic.twitter.com/K7Whec0CUJ
— Harry Potter Play (@HPPlayLDN) June 26, 2017
Bonnie Wright congratulated J.K. Rowling on her achievement, and shared a hilarious Ginny meme:
She had a vision. Congratulations @jk_rowling ⚡️#HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/07O1jZ8o2P
— Bonnie Wright (@thisisbwright) June 26, 2017
Jason Isaacs celebrated the unleashing of ‘the speccy one’ and mourned his status as one of the least popular characters:
20 amazing years ago today @jk_rowling unleashed the speccy one. Will I one day go from least to most popular? #sad https://t.co/666ingAJF6
— Jason Isaacs (@jasonsfolly) June 26, 2017
I'm unconscionably excited. Aren't you?
Takes the sting off being voted least popular @HarryPotter character. Almost https://t.co/czv0dd9e3m— Jason Isaacs (@jasonsfolly) June 26, 2017
The anniversary has also seen national coverage from BBC News, CNN, The Telegraph and more.
We're celebrating 20 years of Harry Potter magic! (UK) Tweet us your fav Harry Potter memories! ✨ #HarryPotter20 https://t.co/9dBnuq5o76 pic.twitter.com/T0Ua3x2XJm
— iBooks (@iBooks) June 26, 2017
We asked where people first picked up Philosopher’s Stone, and got so many heartwarming replies:
2000, I was 12 and staying home sick so my best friend's mom bought me HPPS portuguese ed. Started reading it in my bed. #HarryPotter20
— Mi (@PlugInMi) June 26, 2017
Vividly, it was October 8th 2016, I was 36 on a train from Cornwall to Swindon. #latetotheparty
— laura sweeney (@lclinford) June 26, 2017
RIP Woolworths:
#Woolworths RIP @intuVictoriaCen 2000 #HarryPotter20 #neverlookedback
— Nicola Grange (@nfgrange) June 26, 2017
My mum and dad bought it and read it to me before bed when I was 7. #HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/WFrjCUgPlB
— Lynn Mahler (@lynnmahler) June 26, 2017
I do! I was so happy to be at Hogwarts! All while in my tiny bedroom in smalll town México. #HarryPotter20
— Random Foreign (@RandomForeign) June 26, 2017
Once again, thanks to all for making this 20 year long journey so special!
Find all three parts of our chapter-by-chapter analysis of Philosopher’s Stone below, and remember to party hard to mark the occasion – click here for some last-minute tips on a great Potter party.