Harry Potter and the Philosoper’s Stone
Bloomsbury releases Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling in the UK. The book is about a young orphan boy who learns that he’s a wizard, thus opening him up to an underground magical world. Along the way he becomes best friends with characters, Ron Weasley and Hermoine Grainger. He also learns of the threat to the “wizarding” world, Lord Voldemort, and his connection to the villain. The original print of 500 copies becomes popular in the U.K. Rowling speaks of the book’s creation:
In 1990, I was in Manchester looking for a flat, but I decided to take the train back to London and the idea for Harry Potter fell into my head during the journey. I had been writing since I was six, but I had never been as excited about an idea as I was for this book. Coincidentally, I didn’t have a pen and was too shy to ask anyone for one on the train, this gave me the full four hours on the train to think up all the ideas for the book. I began to write ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ that very evening.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Rowling releases the second novel in the series in the UK. In this novel, Harry is a student at Hogwards School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. All is well until students who are not from all-magical families come under attack by an unknown assailant. Harry, Ron, and Hermoine investigate the attacks and delve into the story behind the Chamber of Secrets.
I’ve only suffered writer’s block badly once, and that was during the writing of Chamber of Secrets. I had my first burst of publicity about the first book and it paralysed me. I was scared the second book wouldn’t measure up, but I got through it!
Prisoner of Azkaban
The third novel is released in the UK. Harry, Ron, and Hermoine investigate Sirius Black, an escaped prisoner who may have ties with the villian, Lord Voldemort. The book sells 68,000 copies in 3 days.
Out of the five books I’ve published, writing Azkaban was the easiest, and in some ways I think that shows.
Harry Potter and the Order Of The Phoenix
0 CommentsThe novel is released to fans in the U.K., United States and Canada. Within a day, five million copies are sold. In the novel, Potter faces many challenges that include exams, a school take over by the Wizarding government and a return of nemesis, Lord Voldemort. Potter partners with The Order of the Phoenix, a rogue team of witches and wizards, to fight Voldemort. It is Rowling’s longest book in the series so far.
I think what I was trying to do with the death in this book was show how very arbitrary and sudden death is. This is a death where you didn’t have a big death bed scene. It happened almost accidentally, and that is one of the very cruel things about death, and they’re now in a war situation where that really does happen, where one minute you’re talking to your friend and the next minute he’s gone. It’s so shocking and so inexplicable… “Where did they go?” I found it upsetting to write, because I knew what it would mean to Harry.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The sixth installment is released in various countries and sells 6.9 million copies on its first day. In Potter’s sixth year at school, he stumbles upon a mysterious textbook annotated by a person named the Half-Blood Prince. Potter searches for the book’s owner as well as a memory that may aid in defeating the dark Lord Voldemort. He learns more of Voldemort’s past and works alongside his school’s headmaster, Dumbledore, to prepare for battle. Rowling:
A lot happens in the sixth book and a lot of questions are answered. I really have a sense that we are nearly there and it is time for answers, not more questions and clues, although obviously there are a few clues as I am not quite finished yet.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
The final novel of the Harry Potter series is released in the U.S., UK and Canada. Potter continues to search and destroy items that will help to kill Lord Voldemort and prevent another return. He also learns the truth about his past and the history of several main characters. The novel ends the series with a final confrontation between Potter and Voldemort. In the U.K. it sells 8.3 million copies in the first day in the U.S., beating the previous book’s 6.9 copies. When asked by Meredith Vieira if she has had to say goodbye to Harry:
Yes and no. Because…it sounds too corny for words, but I feel as though I know what he’s doing now…so he’ll always be a presence in my life really.
U.S. release
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In the United States, Scholastic Publishing releases Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The name changes from Philosopher to Sorcerer in the belief that it will be more appealing to children.
Beth Puffer, manager of the Bank Street Bookstore in New York City:
When the Potter books first came out, we didn’t know they would sell millions of copies, but we all read them and loved them and we thought they were the kinds of books that would really grab a child. We hand-sold the heck out of them, the same way we would with any book that was so well written.
Hogwarts Express soft run
Universal Studios in Orlando announces that even though Diagon Alley will not actually open until July 8th, guests at the park will be treated to a limited early admission as part of a “soft open” of the Hogwarts Express. This soft open will allow for the theme park to test out their new ride in hopes of getting any “kinks” worked out before their grand opening. The openings are only in brief, limited windows for a few lucky guests though it is expected that the ride will be running at longer intervals the closer to opening day they get.
Diagon Alley opens
0 CommentsWith visitors starting to line up at 4 a.m., Diagon Alley opens to huge crowds at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Thousands of Harry Potter fans stood in long lines to partake in opening day; at one point, the Escape From Gringotts ride had a six-hour wait. Potter fan Luke Viramontes:
There are a lot of crazy fans like me here, so it’s definitely a great environment to be in. I’m here because I love Harry Potter.
New Harry Potter story
Seven years after completing the Harry Potter book series, Rowling posts an update on her characters to her website Pottermore. The update is written in the form of an article written by the journalist Rita Skeeter. In it, Harry has aged and is now sporting a mysterious cut on his cheek. He is married to Ginny Weasley who is now a journalist. Ron Weasley is still married to Hermione Granger – who is now the deputy head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Shortly after the story is posted, the site experiences multiple crashes as fans rush to read the new piece.
Interactive wands
0 CommentsUniversal Studio’s Diagon Alley introduces interactive wands. When the wands are waved at special spell locations, found via bronze medallions in the pavement, creating special effects.
With the correct incantations and motions, you’ll be able to cast spells throughout The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with new Interactive Wands that you can purchase from Ollivanders wand shops in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. You’ll also get a map that marks all the locations throughout The Wizarding World of Harry Potter where you can put your new wand to use.
Wands are expected to be priced around $50.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=814Jv—1fE
Announces Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Rowling announces an original Harry Potter play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
I'm also very excited to confirm today that a new play called Harry Potter and the #CursedChild will be opening in London next year.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2015
Cast as Hermione Granger
Dumezweni is cast as Hermione Granger in the upcoming play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.