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Today marks the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in the US) and everyone is expressing their feelings online. The first book of the series was published on June 26, 1997. Fans all over the world have written in to the franchise’s official film account to express their 20 most memorable moments from the series as a whole, including pivotal moments in the world of Harry Potter.
Fans aren’t the only ones celebrating the anniversary online, with J.K. Rowling expressing her thanks for all of the support the series has received over the years. She tweeted, “20 years ago today a world that I had lived in alone was suddenly open to others. It’s been wonderful. Thank you. #HarryPotter 20 .”
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
Bonnie Wright, better known as Ginny Weasley in the film series, took to Instagram to share a funny message in support of the 20th anniversary regarding her character’s future with Harry Potter.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVzjMSsl8Aj/?taken-by=thisisbwright
Under the hashtag #HarryPotter20, fans have been tweeting and sharing pictures, many of which include expressing their thanks for the series shaping who they are today or even sharing some of their favorite moments from the series throughout the years.
The books set fire to our imaginations. The films gave us a vision of Hogwarts all of us could share. Thank you, @jk_rowling. #HarryPotter20
— Samantha Shannon (@say_shannon) June 26, 2017
“There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other…” #20YearsOfHarryPotter #HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/Dfgjg4hIhM
— Harry Potter World (@PotterWorldUK) June 26, 2017
20 years ago a little boy has changed everything. He taught us how to love, to be a loyal friend and more. Thank you, J.K! #HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/SjS4uoRTic
— Thiego Novais (@thiegonovais) June 26, 2017
My tribute for #HarryPotter20 Thank you @jk_rowling for helping a little girl to grow up, becoming the person, woman and artist she is NOW pic.twitter.com/Wv9dzNPtvq
— Angelica Arfini (@_angiearfy) June 26, 2017
"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry. But why on earth should that mean that it is not real?" -Dumbledore #HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/gEsU0RosxX
— Owais Raza (@owaisxraza) June 26, 2017
words to live by #HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/KEhLTRVr1M
— Liv🦋 (@liv_slack) June 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/burninsupernova/status/879273990279352320
What some fans may not know is that the first book was almost not published. J.K. Rowling had been denied time and time again by publishers. In 2015, Rowling responded to a fan’s question on Twitter regarding the rejections she received saying, “Loads! First publisher to turn down Harry also sent @RGalbraith his rudest rejection. They don’t even want me in a beard.”
In 2016, Rowling tweeted the photo out to fans of the rejections, with one letter saying she should join a writer’s class. She says the release of these letters, with the editors’ names blurred out on both, was not for revenge purposes but so other aspiring authors would know to keep pursuing their dreams as she did.
By popular request, 2 of @RGalbrath's rejection letters! (For inspiration, not revenge, so I've removed signatures.) pic.twitter.com/vVoc0x6r8W
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) March 25, 2016
J.K. Rowling is one of the most successful authors of all time, selling over 400 million copies of her books in close to 70 languages around the world. J.K. Rowling, real name Joanne Rowling, did not always have an easy time before the publication of Harry Potter, as her emotional journey through life delayed the story from being written for almost seven years.
Warner Brothers bought the film rights to the first two novels in the series in 1998 and introduced us to our favorite magical trio. The novel and films helped to create a world that fans could escape into while teaching lessons of empathy, strength and the importance of love and friendship that continues to make the Harry Potter world a place fans still want to go to.
