Harry Potter at 20: JK Rowling joins fans in celebrating two decades of magic
On this day in 1997 a very special novel arrived in bookshops across the country

It has been 20 years since we first met a lonely boy with a lightening-bolt scar living in the Dursleys' cupboard under the stairs. Since then Harry Potter has made a bunch of magical friends, battled Voldemort, sold millions of novels and inspired a blockbuster film franchise. And it's all down to one woman...
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It all started on 26th June 1997, when Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone arrived on bookshelves for the first time.
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Using a time turner, the BBC has retrieved this moving portrait from December 1997, when Blue Peter's Konnie Huq interviewed up-and-coming children's author Joanne (JK) Rowling.
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As we celebrate "HarryPotter20", fans have been giving thanks to Rowling for years of magic.
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And as Harry Potter turns 20 (the book, not the character of course) it's the perfect time to look back on all those favourite moments.
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