Harry Potter at 20: Potterheads raise their wands to JK Rowling and take to Twitter
The first of the fantasy fiction series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone hit bookstores on 26 June, 1997.

Two decades ago, on 26 June, JK Rowling's first Harry Potter book, The Philosopher's Stone, landed in bookstores. Despite it being 20 years since we were first introduced to the boy living in 'the closet under the stairs', the magic has only grown stronger.
For many young bibliophiles, the adventures of this young boy and his friends Ron and Hermione opened a gateway not simply into Diagon Alley but into a world where the imagination was allowed free reign.
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
To mark the big day, Bloomsbury Publishing tied up with Bolton Library and Museum Services to organise a record-breaking gathering of school children dressed as Harry Potter. As many as 676 students from 11 Bolton primary schools took part in the 23 June event.
As per Guinness World Record rules, all the participants wore Gryffindor ties and glasses. They also held wands and had the signature lightning scar on their foreheads.
Even Facebook and Twitter got in on the celebrations. Users were given the option of using special spectacles and lightning scar emoji which appeared with the #HarryPotter20 hashtag.
Facebook allowed Potterheads to discover an Easter egg every time they used the words Harry Potter, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin in a status update. The words would 'magically' change colour and if clicked on, display an animation of a wand casting a spell.
On this special day, fans of the books and movies alike took to social media to celebrate the world of magic and the boy who allowed them to be part of it.
"There won't be a child in our world who doesn't know his name." I'm still amazed that this became a Fact of real life #HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/uX8S0vTHyj
— Ankit Bhuptani (@krishnasankit) June 26, 2017
#HarryPotter20 20 since Hogwarts first openned its doors to us and we will always be thankful @jk_rowling you gave us a place to call home ð
— Camila Mailén Ï (@camsuarez) June 26, 2017
On this day in 1997, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was published
— Hogwarts Logic (@HogwartsLogic) June 26, 2017
The magic begins... pic.twitter.com/ONaImasjGm
The world of Harry Potter taught me a lot, gained me heaps of friends & showed me how life can be magical! This Slytherin ð #HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/S2W6c8KPwf
— Rai ð RTX (@utterardour) June 26, 2017
At first I thought my love for Harry Potter wasn't going to last but now I know my love for Harry Potter is ALWAYSðâ¤ï¸ðð #HarryPotter20
— Rizzo (@HBP_ALWAYS98) June 26, 2017
#20YearsOfHarryPotter Harry Potter was what made me love reading and the first book I properly read myself...Thank youâ¤ï¸ðð¤ pic.twitter.com/My0MIOvuRn
— â¡Alisaâ¢examsâ¿ (@TaeJin_sus) June 26, 2017
Loved the world of Harry Potter; what a joy it is now to read the books alongside my son & watch him fall in love with it too #harrypotter20 pic.twitter.com/5o30dFYWIv
— Cat Johnston (@ceejicus) June 26, 2017
if i hadn't discovered Harry Potter, a part of me that will be missing
— mar¡a (@dolanwpizza) June 26, 2017
thank you for being part of the my childhood memories#HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/tUVJwiJsGr
When someone says they hate #HarryPotter.... #HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/wRJhcGLG2B
— Lauren Castle (@lauren_castle) June 26, 2017
This is such a special day for me! Harry Potter inspired me so much, I can't even imagine a life without the books #HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/TemqsIpQSZ
— LyrasBookCorner (@LyrasCorner) June 26, 2017
Got my #Ravenclaw socks on today! There're going to be a lot of #HarryPotter posts today #sorrynotsorry! â¡ï¸ #HarryPotter20 #housepride pic.twitter.com/Y6Sxm9pZYN
— Molly Looby (@MollyLooby) June 26, 2017
@jk_rowling It's hard to believe Harry Potter came out 20 years ago,Thank you for all the amazing adventures and for all the strong womenð
— Isabel (@Abookofwords_) June 25, 2017
Harry Potter proved that smart women can do all the resistance work and a man with crazy hair will get all the credit. #HarryPotter20
— JenAshleyWright (@JenAshleyWright) June 26, 2017
Growing up with Harry Potter was the best ⨠#HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/uZ2wSyPilm
— A Girl Who Climbs (@Agirlwhoclimbs) June 26, 2017
When you realise you've been obsessed with Harry Potter for 20 years #HarryPotter20 â¡ï¸ pic.twitter.com/2ZMpxRamGt
— Alice Edwards (@alucye) June 26, 2017
I cannot imagine what life would have been like without Harry Potter and the wizarding world. #20yearsofharrypotter pic.twitter.com/3RcNDOIG76
— Agnes Isabelle (@_isabellissima) June 26, 2017
"Being in Harry Potter is like being in the Mafia. Once you are in, you are never really out." -Daniel Radcliffe pic.twitter.com/YXmnaC7Hf1
— Harry Potter (@ArryPottah) June 26, 2017
Did someone say 20 years of Harry Potter?? #harrypotter20 pic.twitter.com/3kGh2sNuV2
— Mary (@braxndnew) June 26, 2017
26 June 1997: Twenty years ago today, Harry Potter and the Philosopherâs Stone was published. #20YearsPhilosophersStone #HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/8rQdj70r7H
— Harry Potter World (@PotterWorldUK) June 26, 2017
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