In 1997 J.K. Rowling released her first book in the Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", later renamed "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone". For those thinking it was 20 years ago that Rowling released the 1st book, it's 20 years since she released the American version. She first released it in England 21 years ago where only 500 copies were made. Now 21 years later, the Harry Potter series is a favorite all around the world. With 7 books (8 books if you count "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play), 2 theme parks at Universal Studios, and 8 movies, Harry Potter remains the most popular and successful franchise in history.
With it being Harry Potter's anniversay, I have some random, fun, and interesting facts about Harry Potter that you might not have known.
1) As I mentioned above, the first edition of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" was actually titled "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone". There were only 500 copies made of the original and one copy today is worth $2,500!
2) J.K. Rowling's real name is Joanne Rowling and choose to go by J.K.(suggested by her publisher) so that male readers wouldn't be discouraged that she was a female writer.
3) The illustrator of the original Harry Potter book covers, Mary GrandPre supposedly based her sketches of Harry off of herself and drew inspiration from herself.
4) Did you know that the novels actually topped the American Library Association's list of "Most Challenged Books" at one time due to some's belief that is promoted witchcraft.
5) J.K. Rowling randomly admitted in 2007 on a book tour in New York that Hogwarts' Headmaster Albus Dumbledore was gay.
6) J.K. Rowling is now worth $1.2 billion after the successful franchise took off. She started out as a struggling single mother.
7) The series has sold 500 million copies worldwide.
8) The books have been translated into more than 70 languages.
9) Do you know what Harry Potter's first word(s) are in the 1st book? "Nearly". He didn't speak until the 2nd chapter of the first book.
10) The name Voldemort comes from the French words meaning "Flight of Death".
You can find out more random facts about Harry Potter by going on the publisher's website, HERE
Just for fun, here are some memorable, inspirational, and enlightening quotes from the Harry Potter books.
1) "We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are." -Sirius Black-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
2) "Pity the living, and above all, those who live without love." -Albus Dumbledore-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
3) "It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be."-Albus Dumbledore-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
4) "Just because you have the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean we all have." -Hermoine Granger-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
5) "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if only one remembers to turn on the light"-Albus Dumbledore-Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Happy Harry Potter Anniversary everyone!
-Producer Lightning