Magical Milestones: Celebrating J.K. Rowling & Harry Potter’s Birthdays!

Jul 31, 2018

Posted by: Emma Pocock

Bloomsbury, Book Awards, Box Office, Broadway, Celebration of Harry Potter, Companion Books, Cormoran Strike series/Robert Galbraith, Cormoran Strike TV Series, Crew Interviews, DH, DH Film, Directors, Events, Exclusives, Fan Events, Fan Sites, Fandom, Fans, Fantastic Beasts, Fantastic Beasts Movie, Film Awards, Filmmaker Interviews, Fun, GoFFilm, GrandPre, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Philosophers / Sorcerers Stone, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter:The Exhbition, Harry, A History, HBP Film, Heyman, HP Cast, HPPS/SS Film, Interviews, J.K. Rowling, JKR Interviews, JKRowling.com, Leaky, LeakyCon, LeakyLounge, Lumos, MinaLima, Movies, News, OotP Film, PoA Film, PotterCast, Pottermore, Producers, Products, Props-Sets, Publishers, Quidditch Through the Ages, Scholastic, Theater, Titles, TLC Interviews, Trio Interviews, Universal Studios Japan, Warner Bros., West End, Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hollywood, WIzarding World of Harry Potter Orlando

Today marks the birthdays of J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter, and to celebrate we’re bringing you a magical timeline of milestone events in the history of Harry Potter, all the way from 1996 to 2018. Throughout the timeline you’ll find interviews with J.K. Rowling, book releases, film premieres, the days we found out Cursed Child and Fantastic Beasts were confirmed, the launch of the Wizarding World theme parks and much, much more.

The Harry Potter series turned twenty-one (twenty in the U.S.) last month, and we can’t believe it’s gone so fast… Leaky’s also been around for eighteen years, and we’re forever grateful to our readers, to listeners of PotterCast, and to attendees at LeakyCon for keeping the magic alive, so throughout the timeline you’ll also find some throwbacks to a few of The Leaky Cauldron’s milestones, too – thanks for sticking with us!

We hope you’ve made some amazing memories with fellow Potter fans since finding the wizarding world, and whether you’re new to Harry Potter, if you found the series through the movies, or even through Fantastic Beasts or Cursed Child, we’d love for you to share your most magical memories with us (via the comments below, or our Twitter, Facebook or Instagram) to help celebrate the birthdays of J.K. Rowling and The Boy Who Lived.


 

1996

October:

— Bloomsbury agree to publish Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone


 

1997

April:

Arthur Levine (Scholastic) bids $105,000 for American rights

9780747558194

 June:

HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE published in the U.K. – June 26th

J.K. Rowling Interview with The Sunday Times:
“I came back from Portugal to no job and no place to live. I wrote furiously while my daughter was sleeping, which not only gave me something to do with my brain but was an escape for me, too.” 

November:

Philosopher’s Stone wins the Smarties prize

 

 

 

 

 


1998

906601457.0.x

July:


CHAMBER OF SECRETS BOOK RELEASE
published in the U.K. – July 2nd

 

— ‘Friends of Potter’ Official Fan Club launched – 2nd July – J.K. Rowling published a series of ‘Daily Prophet’ newsletters as part of this – find synopses here,  she discusses here.

 

 

 

 

 

acbe7426182fa40cce0d85b13202c451

September:

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE book release in the U.S. – September 1st

October:

— Warner Bros buy rights to Harry Potter

— U.S. Book Tour – Arthur Levine (editor) tells The Scotsman:

 “Her personal story is a real-life version of the American dream and people realise that Joanne has persevered and has come out a winner. If it hadn’t been a brilliant story with a great character, America would never have embraced Harry Potter the way it has.” 

December:

–J.K. Rowling interview with The Herald:

“To invent this wizard world, I’ve learned a ridiculous amount about alchemy.”


 

1999

February:

—  Guardian interview with J.K. Rowling.

“Having a child of my own reinforces my belief that children above all want security, and that’s what Hogwarts offers Harry”

—  Donny & Marie interview with J.K. Rowling:

“I like unusual names. You’ve got to be very careful about telling me your name if you have an unusual name, ’cause you might turn up in book six.”

1594130019

March:

— Barnes & Noble interview with J.K. Rowling:

“I spent a lot of time inventing the rules for the magical world so that I knew the limits of magic.” 

June:


HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
 published in the U.S. – June 2nd

 http---harrypotterfanzone.com-wp-content-2009-06-poa-uk-kids-jacket-art

July:

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN published in the U.K. – July 8th

http---covers3.booksamillion.com-covers-bam-0-43-913-635-0439136350

September

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN published in the U.S. – September 9th

October:

— J.K. Rowling interview with The Boston Globe:

“I do believe in magic in a figurative sense,” she said. “For example, learning to read is a kind of magic that happens in the lives of children. “ 

December:

–People interview with J.K. Rowling:

“At the moment, the last word is ‘scar.”


 2000

February:

— Scholastic web chat with J.K. Rowling

June:

— J.K. Rowling, The Interview – The Times

July:

Screenshot 2018-07-30 23.17.35THE LEAKY CAULDRON’S FIRST POST – July 5th

https---www.picclickimg.com-d-w1600-pict-192252415333_-Harry-Potter-and-the-Goblet-of-Fire-Book

36085_1

GOBLET OF FIRE published – July 8th

— J.K. Rowling heads on 4 day book tour aboard the Hogwarts Express

— Stephen Fry interviews J.K. Rowling

— The New York Times interviews J.K. Rowling aboard the Hogwarts Express ahead of the Goblet of Fire release:

“It’s the end of an era in the context of the whole series of books,” she said. “For Harry his innocence is gone.”

— CBC Newsworld interview with J.K. Rowling on board the Hogwarts Express:

” I’ve got all these children peering in at me [from outside the train]. If they knew I was talking about slaughtering their favourite characters. (Waves vigorously to fans) Hallo!”  

— Hedwig announced as the first official cast member of Harry Potter

https---julestoldme.files.wordpress.com-2015-07-alnwick-castle-fiona-james newseeker06

–Alnwick Castle announced as set of Hogwarts

August:

— Warner Bros store opened

–Harry Potter film trio (Dan Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint) announced

September:

— Filming starts on Harry Potter and the Philsopher’s Stone

October:

— Harry Potter continues to be censored and protested against as ‘devil worship’ in many regions, J.K. Rowling dismisses a journalist who asked if her books encourage Satanism:

“No. You are a lunatic”  

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Quidditch Through the Ages are announced

— Scholastic interview with J.K. Rowling

November:

— Final chapter of Deathly Hallows is written by J.K. Rowling

December:

— J.K. Rowling honored with title Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II  (received in March 2001 due to Rowling postponing as her daughter was ill)


 

2001

January:

— First Edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone auctioned for around £8500

February:

— Warner Bros announces first official Harry Potter trailer release

— First LEGO Harry Potter sets announced

March:

http---www.harrypotterbooksonline.co.uk-product_thumb.php?img=images-user-Hp%20Quid%20Be%20Books.jpg&w=300&h=236

FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM & QUIDDITCH THROUGH THE AGES released – March 1st

— AintItCool interview with Steve Kloves:

” To me, four is the best book because it’s big and Jo Rowling really had elbow room to work and showed what she can do. It’s really dark and it’s very cool. “ 

Trailer released for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – March 1st

— J.K. Rowling named Number 20 on Forbes’ ‘Power 100’

— J.K. Rowling interviews with Blue Peter, BBC Newsround and Red Nose Day / Comic Relief 

June:

— First trailer for Harry Potter and the Philsopher’s Stone movie debuts

— Leaky recognised in CNN, BBC, The Guardian & Empire Online for finding trailer ‘leaks’

— Warwick Davis emails Leaky to discuss goblins, his love of Harry Potter, and confirm the late Verne Troyer’s role as Griphook

October:

— CBBC interviews with Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Jamie Wallet (Vincent Crabbe) and Joshua Herdman (Gregory Goyle), Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) debut

November:

_1637725_harry300c

— Premiere of Harry Potter and the Philsopher’s Stone – November 4th (Leaky coverage, BBC coverage and photos)

— Telegraph interview with J.K. Rowling:

“Absolutely top of the list: Robbie Coltrane for Hagrid and Maggie Smith for McGonagall.”

 

HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE film opens in theaters (November 16th)

December:

Chamber of Secrets released date announced

— Ananova interview with J.K. Rowling:

“If there is an eighth Harry Potter book, it will be to raise money for charity. “It could be the encyclopaedia of the world (of Hogwarts) and then I could rid myself of every last lurking details, but no not a novel.” 

— J.K.Rowling marries Neil Murray (December 26th)

— BBC Christmas Special ‘Harry Potter and Me’ with J.K. Rowling, Stephen Fry – December 28th


 

2002

February:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s / Sorcerer’s Stone becomes second highest grossing movie worldwide of all time

March:

— Daniel Radcliffe appears in video at The Academy Awards. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone nominated for Best Music (Score), Costume Design and Art Direction.

June:

Chamber of Secrets trailer debuts:

— J.K. Rowling helps launch ‘Magic’ for charity, which includes a foreword written by her

September:

— J.K. Rowling wins Stouffer court case, announces pregnancy & reveals update on  OOtp progress in Newsround interview

October:

— “The Magic Behind Harry Potter” interview with J.K. Rowling:

” I used to collect names of plants that sounded witchy, and then I found this. “Culpeper’s Complete Herbal”, and it was the answer to my every prayer. flax-weed, toad-flax, flea-wort, gout-wort, gromel, knotgrass, mugwort… just everything you could possibly… you know, so when I’m potioning, I get lost in this for an hour. “ (This book was on show at the British Library’s History of Magic exhibition) –

— Oprah “Stars of Harry Potter” airs with trio

— Richard Harris passes away aged 72 on October 25th, 2002

David Heyman statement   |   Chris Columbus statement   |   Warner Bros statement   |   Potter cast statements

Leaky’s roundtable interviews with David Heyman, Chris Columbus, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson

November:

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS movie released – November 15th

— Chamber of Secrets breaks records

December:

— The Leaky Cauldron incorporates and begins auction fundraiser to get a set of Order of the Phoenix clues on an index card from J.K. Rowling (proceeds went to Book Aid International, unfortunately Leaky didn’t win!)


 

2003

January:

— HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX release date announced

Order of the Phoenix breaks record sales

March:

— David Gordon Rowling Murray born – March 23rd

— French & Saunders Harry Potter Comic Relief sketch airs (Harry Potter and the Secret Chamberpots of Azerbajan), with Dawn French  (The Fat Lady) as Harry and Miranda Richardson (Rita Skeeter) as Hermione, neither of whom had been cast at the time:

April:

— J.K. Rowling and Steve Kloves interview about Chamber of Secrets (DVD):

“The diary to me is a very scary object, a really, really frightening object” 

June:

— 7000 Potter books stolen before OoTP release

— J.K. Rowling Jeremy Paxman interview

ootp-uk-kids-cover-art order-of-the-phoenix-us-edition

HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX published June 21st, 2003

— OoTP sales breaks records

— Surprise J.K. Rowling reading in Edinburgh

— Royal Albert Hall interview with Stephen Fry – June 26th (Leaky’s report here)

— J.K. Rowling calls The Leaky Cauldron her favorite fan site after Royal Albert Hall event
https---cdn.royalalberthall.com-file-1396975600-27751161444-width=640-height=360-format=JPG-fit=crop-crop=1365x1648+4045x2277-rev=3-t=395175-e=never-k=fb85e392-6a

November:

— First five books reach 250 million sales 


 

2004

January:

— The Leaky Cauldron releases full Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban set report

March:

— World Book Day Web Chat with J.K. Rowling

May:

Jkr.com launched as J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter website (traffic super high, as would be expected – asks for Leaky’s opinion)

http---www.hp-lexicon.org-images-jkr-desktop2

— Prisoner of Azkaban premiere in London (trio / Coltrane)

June:

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN movie release – June 4th

August:

— J.K. Rowling at Edinburgh Book Festival interview

— Urban Wire interview with Harry Potter web masters

November:

Prisoner of Azkaban DVD launch party

December:

Half Blood Prince release date announced as July 16th 2005


 

2005

January:

— The Leaky Cauldron’s Goblet of Fire set report preview debuts

— Mackenzie Jean Rowling Murray born – January 23rd 2005

Leaky Lounge opens

May:

— J.K. Rowling honors The Leaky Cauldron with her website’s fan site award (May 13th) and invites Melissa & Emerson to interview her at release of Half Blood Prince (archived here):

“It is about the worst kept secret on this website that I am a huge fan of The Leaky Cauldron, which I have mentioned before now in News items. I have met one of its founders, Melissa, on two occasions; outside the Albert Hall before I did the reading for ‘Order of the Phoenix’ and after the premiere for ‘Prisoner of Azkaban’, and in a matter of mere months I will be talking to her properly as she will be coming over to Edinburgh to interview me on publication weekend.

‘Leaky’, as it is affectionately known to its many fans, is a wonderfully well designed mine of accurate information on all things Harry Potter. It also attracts a lot of knowledgeable and entertaining debate. So to Melissa, B.K., Kristen, Sue, John, Nick and Natalie, congratulations and thank you! And Heidi… thank you very much for the present for Mackenzie… she wears it often!”

July:

th-6

th-8

—  HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE published – July 16th

— The Leaky Cauldron’s Melissa Anelli & MuggleNet’s Emerson Spartz interview J.K. Rowling at her home

https-ogimg.infoglobo.com_.br-in-2800422-b5f-f0a-FT1500A-550-Melissa-Anelli-a-esquerda-junto-com-J.K.-Rowling-amizade-criada-apos-entrevistaDivulgacao-2

August:

— PotterCast debuts – August 22nd (plus first special with MuggleCast)

pottercast_400x400

November:

— HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE hits theaters after premiere (and live coverage from Leaky and MuggleNet) – November 18th

December:

— Stephen Fry “Living With Harry Potter” interview with J.K. Rowling (BBC Radio 4)


 

2006

January:

Goblet of Fire nominated for an Oscar

February:

— The Leaky Cauldron wins Yahoo’s People’s Choice award

August:

Reading & Press Conference at Radio City Music Hall

— PotterCast voted Best Entertainment Podcast at the 2006 Podcast Awards

December:

— J.K. Rowling reveals that final book will be titled Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (special PotterCast episode)


 

2007

January:

— J.K. Rowling finishes writing Book 7 – January 11th

February:

Deathly Hallows release date announced as July 21st 2007

Deathly Hallows sets records

April:

— ‘Potter sites wild about Harry’ – interview with leaders of various Potter fansites

— The Leaky Cauldron launches The Ultimate Deathly Hallows Predictions Test

May:

— J.K. Rowling announces Deathly Hallows signing event 

https---www.adventureswithfamily.com-wp-content-uploads-2018-02-The-Wizarding-World-of-Harry-Potter

Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park announced

June:

— The Leaky Cauldron announces plans for Deathly Hallows release

July:

— J.K. Rowling discusses finishing Deathly Hallows with The Telegraph:

“Actually finishing it was the most remarkable feeling I’ve ever had… [I felt] euphoria, devastated, when I finished one chapter near the end I absolutely howled, it had been planned for so long” 

Order of the Phoenix premiere (and coverage) – July 3rd

— HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX movie released – July 11th

— J.K. Rowling appears on Blue Peter 

th-11 th-12

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS book release – 21st July (and report from J.K. Rowling’s signing)

— Bloomsbury web chat with J.K. Rowling

October:

— J.K. Rowling’s U.S. Open Book Tour (various interviews, Q&As and reveals)

— J.K. Rowling reveals Albus Dumbledore as gay at Carnegie Hall event

November:

— J.K. Rowling’s handwritten Tales of Beedle the Bard announced as part of auction

th-10

December:

— Entertainment Weekly name Leaky #2 on 25 Essential Fan Sites list

— J.K. Rowling a guest on PotterCast

— J.K. Rowling… A Year in The Life documentary airs on ITV


 

2008

January:

— J.K. Rowling announced as principle speaker at the Harvard Commencement ceremony in June:

February:

— J.K. Rowling receives James Joyce Award 

First ever LeakyCon announced: LeakyCon 2009 in Boston

leaky con

March:

— J.K. Rowling says she will continue to write (new book)

— Warner Bros announces Deathly Hallows as a two-part movie

April:

— Deathly Hallows Part One release date announced as November 19th, 2010

— Harry Potter: The Exhibition announced

May:

— Scholastic announces 10th Anniversary Sorcerer’s Stone edition

Half Blood Prince set visit report

— Robert Knox (Marcus Belby) tragically murdered

June:

— J.K. Rowling’s Harvard Commencement speech

b7693ea04f5ac047_thumb_temp_facebook_post_image_file20701441417537591

— Potter Prequel Auction800 word prequel about the Marauders raised £25,000
1148013

July:

— Publication of Tales of Beedle The Bard announced

— Leaky / PotterCast at San Diego Comic Con

— Melissa Anelli announces Harry: A History with foreword by J.K. Rowling

September:

Interview with David Heyman about Deathly Hallows

November:

th-13

Publication of HARRY, A HISTORY – November 4th (makes bestseller list)

December:

TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD published after release parties

tales-of-beedle-the-bard

— J.K. Rowling’s release party in Scotland

Half Blood Prince set report preview


 

2009

January:

— Deathly Hallows Part Two release date confirmed as July 15th, 2011

April:

— J.K. Rowling Tales of Beedle the Bard reading at Royal Opera House

June:

LEGO Harry Potter game announced for 2010

Team Starkid debut A Very Potter Musical

July:

— The Leaky Cauldron’s full Half Blood Prince set report

— HALF BLOOD PRINCE film release – July 15th – after premiere

September:

— J.K. Rowling opens Twitter account

— Wizarding World of Harry Potter opening announced

October:

— J.K. Rowling receives first Hans Christian Anderson Award

2010

February:

— J.K. Rowling’s co-founded ‘Children’s High Level Group’ renamed to ‘Lumos

April:

— J.K. Rowling White House Easter Egg Roll reading

— Warner Bros public studio tour approved

May:

— Leaky attends private views of Wizarding World of Harry Potter (also here)

— Grand opening of Wizarding World of Harry Potter

July:

— Leaky celebrates 10 years

September:

— Leaky’s Deathly Hallows Part 1 set report preview

October:

— J.K. Rowling appears on Oprah Winfrey Show

November:

Deathly Hallows Part One London and New York Premieres

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1 film releases (November 19th)


 

2011

June:

— Pottermore is announced (PotterCast special)

— J.K. Rowling leaves Christopher Little Literary Agency and moves onto The Blair Partnership

July:

“Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home”
Deathly Hallows Part Two premieres (press roundup, Leaky’s coverage, images)

The-Cast-arrives-for-Harry-Potter-and-the-Deathly-Hallows-Part-2-Premiere-in-New-York

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART TWO film releases in theatres (July 15th)

August:

— J.K. Rowling appears on BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?

September:

— Pottermore launches beta testing 

December:

— Wizarding World in Hollywood announced


 

2012

February:

— J.K. Rowling passes 1 million Twitter followers

— J.K. Rowling announces novel for adults

March:

Warner Bros Studio Tour opens

April:

— J.K. Rowling announces ‘The Casual Vacancy’

“I’m thrilled to say that I’m now in a position to give you something unique, an online reading experience unlike any other. It’s called Pottermore.” 

Pottermore launches to general public

Pottermore

September:

THE CASUAL VACANCY publishes

‘Life After Harry Potter’ Guardian interview with J.K. Rowling


2013

March:

— J.K. Rowling says ‘no Harry Potter prequel’ at Bath Literature festival

— Richard Griffiths (Vernon Dursley) passes away aged 65

April:

Hogwarts Express confirmed for Wizarding World expansion

July:

— J.K. Rowling revealed to be the author of The Cuckoo’s Calling, under pseudonym Robert Galbraith

August:

72b39d8f18bf460606a640ebacf1b483

— Scholastic’s 15th anniversary interview with J.K. Rowling & 15th anniversary editions released (August 27th)

September:

— J.K. Rowling confirms she will pen Fantastic Beasts screenplay

October:

— David Heyman confirmed for Fantastic Beasts

davidheymanbdayfeature

November:

— Lumos fundraiser at Warner Bros Studio TOur

December:

A Celebration of Harry Potter announced

— Diagon Alley and The Leaky Cauldron announced for Wizarding World expansion in Orlando

— Harry Potter play (later known as Cursed Child) announced


2014

January:

— Roger Lloyd-Pack passes away aged 69

February:

— J.K Rowling discusses Hermione/Harry/Ron with Wonderland

March:

The Casual Vacancy BBC adaptation announced

— Bloomsbury’s Jonny Duddle cover editions announced
arena-illustration_jonny-duddle_harry-potter-covers-01

April:

— Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan opening date announced as July 15th 2014, and Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Hollywood for 2016

May:

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie release date announced as November 18th, 2016

June:

— Diagon Alley red carpet event at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando

— THE SILKWORM published
th-15

July:

Quidditch World Cup short story by J.K. Rowling released on Pottemore

— Diagon Alley expansion officially opens

— Dave Legeno (Fenrir Greyback) passes away aged 50

August:

— J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros form Global Franchise Development Team

— J.K. Rowling writes letter as Dumbledore to shooting victim:

— David Yates confirmed for Fantastic Beasts

December:

— Original Strike BBC tv series announced

Very Good Lives announced

— David Ryall (Elphias Doge) passes away aged 79


2015

January:

— Hogwarts Express announced for Warner Bros Studio Tour

— First ever A Celebration of Harry Potter

16427662032_6d2fd21b62_b

June:

— Eddie Redmayne confirmed as Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child confirmed

cursed child

September:

— Pottermore relaunchedhttps---images.pottermore.com-bxd3o8b291gf-6Mn6RZf3RmqGAsqyao62ka-fbae3f5670f9dc6ec7d7215f9cb4555e-Pottermore_BrandPhotography_RedFeathers_RGB_PM.jpg?w=1200

October:

— CAREER OF EVIL publishes (October 20th)

th-16

— Jim Kay’s illustrated edition of Philosopher’s Stone publishes (October 6th)

51ENLRauMHL

November:

Fantastic Beasts logo revealed
Fantastic_Beasts_logo-3

— J.K. Rowling announces she’s writing a new children’s book to BBC Radio 2

— J.K. Rowling and Lauren Laverne interview

December:

Opening date for Wizarding World in Hollywood announced as April 7th 2016

— First Fantastic Beasts trailer debuts

— Harry Potter tops Audible charts

Trio cast in Cursed Child
Harry-Potter-and-the-Cursed-Child-_-featured


2016

January:

— Alan Rickman (Severus Snape) passes away aged 69 (January 14th)

— Wizarding Schools World Map announced at A Celebration of Harry Potter

March:

History of Magic in North America released on Pottermore

April:

— Wizarding World opens in Universal Studios Hollywood

May:

— House of MinaLima announced

June:

MIRA_EDUARDO_OUTSIDE_4

– House of MinaLima opens (June 3rd)

Cursed Child opens preview performances

Interviews with J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, John Tiffany on creating Cursed Child
JackthorneJohnTiffanyJKR

July:

— HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD SCRIPTBOOK released

Cursed Child officially opens on West End

Jack-Thorne-J.K.-Rowling-and-John-Tiffany-900x507

September:

— Hazel Douglas (Bathilda Bagshot)  passes away aged 92 (September 8th)

Patronus quiz debuts on Pottermore

— Fourth Cormoran Strike novel announced for 2017 release, as well as BBC adaptation

— Leaky’s Fantastic Beasts set visit reports debut

Fantastic Beasts   |   MACUSA   |   Drawing Board Room   |   Outdoor Sets   |   David Heyman   |   Eddie Redmayne   |   Colin Farrell

October:

— Jim Kay’s illustrated edition of Chamber of Secrets publishes (October 4th)

HP2_Illustrated_Jacket_FCvr_1500

November:

Fantastic Beasts premieres in New York and London

Interviews David Yates and David Heyman 1 & 2   |   Eddie Redmayne and Katherine Waterston   |   Ezra Miller 1 & 2   |   Alison Sudol and Dan Fogler

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hits theaters (November 18th)

December:

— New JKRowling.com debuts
jkr-home

2017

January:

— John Hurt passes away aged 77 (January 27th)

— A Celebration of Harry Potter (1, 2, 3)

February:

Fantastic Beasts wins first Wizarding World Oscar:

Colleen_Atwood_Oscar_Getty_Images-109485767

March:

— J.K. Rowling reveals the title of fourth Cormoran Strike novel to be Lethal White

April:

Cursed Child breaks records at the Olivier Awards

Cursedchildolivierawardsnoms

May:

Cursed Child announced to be moving to Broadway and Melbourne

June:

— 20th Anniversary U.K. House Crest editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone released by Bloomsbury

philosopherstonehousecovers

July:

10 Years Later: Leaky celebrates the anniversary of the release of Deathly Hallows

August:

— Strike series debuts on BBC One

strikeandrobinwalking

— Robert Hardy (Cornelius Fudge) passes away aged 91

September:

— 19 Years Later: the day of the epilogue – LeakyCon in Dublin

hogwartsexperiencepottermore
— Pottermore’s virtual tour of Hogwarts released

October:

— Jim Kay’s illustrated edition of Prisoner of Azkaban released (October 3rd)
harry_potter_and_the_prisoner_of_azkaban_illustrated_edition-jim_kay_editie-ilustrata

— Hisory of Magic exhibition opens at the British Library (analysis by Dr Beatrice Potter here)

— History of Magic documentary airs on BBC Two

britishlibraryhistoryofmagicexh

— Tales of Beedle the Bard illustrated editions announced

November:

— Second Fantastic Beasts movie title announced: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, along with November 16th 2018 release date

crimesofgrindelwaldlogo

— J.K. Rowling addresses Grindelwald casting concerns

— Olivia Lomenech Gill’s illustrated edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them released (November 7th)

Fantastic_Beasts_Illustrated_Edition_cover_Hi-res-2

December:

— Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite announced


2018

January:

— Bloomsbury’s 20th anniversary House editions of Chamber of Secrets announced

Chamber_PB_House_Editions_1_

— A Celebration of Harry Potter – exclusive coverage (opening ceremony, panels, expo, MinaLimaCrimes footage)

— Andrew Lincoln announced as Quidditch Through the Ages audiobook reader

— Brian Selznick commissioned for Scholastic’s 20th anniversary editions of Harry Potter

Illustrator_Photo_Brian_Selznick_credit_Slimane_Lalami

February:

— Over 500 million Harry Potter books sold

March:

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald initial trailer released

crimes-reaction_28901828

April:

— Hogwarts Mystery released
Hogwartsmysterytrailerpic

— Opening of Cursed Child on Broadway

— Verne Troyer (Griphook) passes away aged 49

May:

— 20 Years after the Battle of Hogwarts

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Original Screenplay cover (by MinaLima) revealed

June:

Cursed Child wins six Tony Awards

— Brian Selznick mural cover art editions by Scholastic released (June 26th)

the-new-harry-potter-covers-frombrian-selznick-have-way-too-many-snakes

Cursed Child announced in San Francisco, California for 2019

— Lumos launches Fantastic Beasts crowdrise campaign

July:

Cursed Child announced for Hamburg, Germany, in 2020

— Leaky’s guide to upcoming and recent publications released:

— J.K. Rowling reveals Lethal White cover and September 18th release date
DhvyVKJWAAAs2c_-2

— Harry Potter moves to USA & Syfy networks

— New J.K. Rowling interview material from Lev Grossman’s 2005 interview with the author released, written by Dr Beatrice Groves exclusively for Leaky (1, 2, 3)

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald trailer debuts at San Diego Comic Con Warner Bros panel (interviews, trailer breakdown, plus Scholastic’s 20th anniversary Harry Potter panel with Melissa Anelli)


Here we are – July 31st 2018… Join us in wishing a very Happy Birthday to J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter – thanks for giving us so many years of fantastic memories!

**Though Leaky’s archives stretch back to 2001 and have been used to source the majority of memories on this timeline, thanks to Accio Quote for their extensive archives of transcripts pre-2001!





The Leaky Cauldron is not associated with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any of the individuals or companies associated with producing and publishing Harry Potter books and films.