“Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much,” reads the first line of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, published exactly twenty years ago today.
The children’s novel, written by unknown author JK Rowling, was filled with magic and friendship and wonder, and quickly became an international success. As of 2015, the novels had sold more than 500 million copies worldwide. The eight films pulled in US$7.7-billion in total.
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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
It’s no wonder people are celebrating — and South Africans are relishing the nostalgia.
Twitter has erupted in tweets about #HarryPotter20, which has been gifted its own glasses and lightning scar emoji, and locals have not sat this one out. As of 4.26pm, the hashtag was trending sixth in the nation. It was trending in first worldwide.
Thank you @jk_rowling you created a magical world for us all #HarryPotter20
— Darshana (@DarshanaBhoola) June 26, 2017
#HarryPotter20 it’s been that long already hey. Thank you J.K Rowling for teaching us to believe in the impossible
— EdwinthePhatsanator (@EdwinPhatsthe) June 26, 2017
Thank you @jk_rowling for the magic that is Harry Potter, and for bringing #TheBoyWhoLived into our lives. #HarryPotter20
— Yvette (@Motlatso_Yvette) June 26, 2017
Many were shocked that it had in fact been twenty years.
Can you believe it’s been 20 years already?! #HarryPotter20 https://t.co/aP7EmA2Ssb
— Nkanyezi Tshabalala (@Nkanyezi_T) June 26, 2017
TWENTY!? #ImOld #HarryPotter20 https://t.co/GoE4o8tNwx
— Ina Gouws (@ina_gouws) June 25, 2017
But most just wanted to thank the series for what it gave to them.
@pottermore Harry Potter took a nerdy, bookish and unpopular girl and gave her a voice. Thanks for everything
#HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/NQ3O1arMHp — Niquita Joseph (@NiquitaJ14) June 26, 2017
20 years of magic! Thank you @jk_rowling for giving us this world of hope, friendship and life!
#HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/SYrglwIij2 — Luke Waltham (@lukewaltham) June 26, 2017
.@jk_rowling‘s ability to build worlds that transport you was so key to how I viewed my world growing up, can’t believe it’s #HarryPotter20
— Claire Earley (@Clearley_7) June 26, 2017
It’s time for a reread.
