The opening of the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone book occurred closer to the Apollo 11 Moon Landing than to today. This event happened on June 26, 1997. The first novel in the Harry Potter series, *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, was published in the United Kingdom by Bloomsbury. Written by J.K. Rowling, the book introduced the magical world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and its young protagonist, Harry Potter, who discovers on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard. The novel was an immediate success, captivating readers with its imaginative story, relatable characters, and themes of friendship, courage, and good versus evil. Its release marked the beginning of a global phenomenon that would go on to sell hundreds of millions of copies worldwide and spawn a highly successful film franchise, cementing its place as one of the most significant literary and cultural events of the late 20th century.