When did the Harry Potter books take place?












20















I always wondered when the setting of the books was supposed to be. Is it set in the past? Present? Future?



I remember seeing somewhere that there was actual years/dates associated with events in the book.



Is there a visual timeline of all the Harry Potter events somewhere with years/months/days mentioned?










share|improve this question




















  • 2





    Wikipedia appears to have a decent Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Timeline

    – Xantec
    Nov 25 '11 at 20:56






  • 1





    @Xantec That's not Wikipedia. That's Wikibooks (a sister project).

    – user56
    Nov 25 '11 at 21:13











  • Are "General reference" questions on-topic?

    – DVK-on-Ahch-To
    Nov 25 '11 at 21:45











  • @Gilles my bad.

    – Xantec
    Nov 25 '11 at 21:45






  • 1





    @DVK We generally consider general reference to mean that you can find the answer easily on Wikipedia or some other obvious reference. Here… “Each book chronicles one year in Harry's life with the main narrative being set in the years 1991–98”. But that doesn't cover the events from the backstory. Some random Internet link such as Xantec's link to Wikibooks isn't a general reference.

    – user56
    Nov 25 '11 at 21:48


















20















I always wondered when the setting of the books was supposed to be. Is it set in the past? Present? Future?



I remember seeing somewhere that there was actual years/dates associated with events in the book.



Is there a visual timeline of all the Harry Potter events somewhere with years/months/days mentioned?










share|improve this question




















  • 2





    Wikipedia appears to have a decent Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Timeline

    – Xantec
    Nov 25 '11 at 20:56






  • 1





    @Xantec That's not Wikipedia. That's Wikibooks (a sister project).

    – user56
    Nov 25 '11 at 21:13











  • Are "General reference" questions on-topic?

    – DVK-on-Ahch-To
    Nov 25 '11 at 21:45











  • @Gilles my bad.

    – Xantec
    Nov 25 '11 at 21:45






  • 1





    @DVK We generally consider general reference to mean that you can find the answer easily on Wikipedia or some other obvious reference. Here… “Each book chronicles one year in Harry's life with the main narrative being set in the years 1991–98”. But that doesn't cover the events from the backstory. Some random Internet link such as Xantec's link to Wikibooks isn't a general reference.

    – user56
    Nov 25 '11 at 21:48
















20












20








20


1






I always wondered when the setting of the books was supposed to be. Is it set in the past? Present? Future?



I remember seeing somewhere that there was actual years/dates associated with events in the book.



Is there a visual timeline of all the Harry Potter events somewhere with years/months/days mentioned?










share|improve this question
















I always wondered when the setting of the books was supposed to be. Is it set in the past? Present? Future?



I remember seeing somewhere that there was actual years/dates associated with events in the book.



Is there a visual timeline of all the Harry Potter events somewhere with years/months/days mentioned?







harry-potter timeline






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Feb 16 '16 at 15:30









Mithrandir

25.1k9133182




25.1k9133182










asked Nov 25 '11 at 20:31









OghmaOsirisOghmaOsiris

25.2k43167286




25.2k43167286








  • 2





    Wikipedia appears to have a decent Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Timeline

    – Xantec
    Nov 25 '11 at 20:56






  • 1





    @Xantec That's not Wikipedia. That's Wikibooks (a sister project).

    – user56
    Nov 25 '11 at 21:13











  • Are "General reference" questions on-topic?

    – DVK-on-Ahch-To
    Nov 25 '11 at 21:45











  • @Gilles my bad.

    – Xantec
    Nov 25 '11 at 21:45






  • 1





    @DVK We generally consider general reference to mean that you can find the answer easily on Wikipedia or some other obvious reference. Here… “Each book chronicles one year in Harry's life with the main narrative being set in the years 1991–98”. But that doesn't cover the events from the backstory. Some random Internet link such as Xantec's link to Wikibooks isn't a general reference.

    – user56
    Nov 25 '11 at 21:48
















  • 2





    Wikipedia appears to have a decent Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Timeline

    – Xantec
    Nov 25 '11 at 20:56






  • 1





    @Xantec That's not Wikipedia. That's Wikibooks (a sister project).

    – user56
    Nov 25 '11 at 21:13











  • Are "General reference" questions on-topic?

    – DVK-on-Ahch-To
    Nov 25 '11 at 21:45











  • @Gilles my bad.

    – Xantec
    Nov 25 '11 at 21:45






  • 1





    @DVK We generally consider general reference to mean that you can find the answer easily on Wikipedia or some other obvious reference. Here… “Each book chronicles one year in Harry's life with the main narrative being set in the years 1991–98”. But that doesn't cover the events from the backstory. Some random Internet link such as Xantec's link to Wikibooks isn't a general reference.

    – user56
    Nov 25 '11 at 21:48










2




2





Wikipedia appears to have a decent Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Timeline

– Xantec
Nov 25 '11 at 20:56





Wikipedia appears to have a decent Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Timeline

– Xantec
Nov 25 '11 at 20:56




1




1





@Xantec That's not Wikipedia. That's Wikibooks (a sister project).

– user56
Nov 25 '11 at 21:13





@Xantec That's not Wikipedia. That's Wikibooks (a sister project).

– user56
Nov 25 '11 at 21:13













Are "General reference" questions on-topic?

– DVK-on-Ahch-To
Nov 25 '11 at 21:45





Are "General reference" questions on-topic?

– DVK-on-Ahch-To
Nov 25 '11 at 21:45













@Gilles my bad.

– Xantec
Nov 25 '11 at 21:45





@Gilles my bad.

– Xantec
Nov 25 '11 at 21:45




1




1





@DVK We generally consider general reference to mean that you can find the answer easily on Wikipedia or some other obvious reference. Here… “Each book chronicles one year in Harry's life with the main narrative being set in the years 1991–98”. But that doesn't cover the events from the backstory. Some random Internet link such as Xantec's link to Wikibooks isn't a general reference.

– user56
Nov 25 '11 at 21:48







@DVK We generally consider general reference to mean that you can find the answer easily on Wikipedia or some other obvious reference. Here… “Each book chronicles one year in Harry's life with the main narrative being set in the years 1991–98”. But that doesn't cover the events from the backstory. Some random Internet link such as Xantec's link to Wikibooks isn't a general reference.

– user56
Nov 25 '11 at 21:48












3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















44














All dates in the HP world trace back to the Death Day party of Nearly Headless Nick in The Chamber of Secrets. It was stated that his it was his 500th Death Day. The cake reads:



Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington
died 31st October, 1492


So, it stands to reason that during the second year, Harry Potter was 12, and that it was the year 1992. All dates can be calculated from that moment in time.



It should also be noted that this isn't strictly adhered to, specifically, Dudley has Playstation before they came out, among other things.






share|improve this answer


























  • well, thats sad. if Dudley had a Playstation, it would have made great sense for Harry and Hermione to have cellphones and internet.

    – Manik Sethisuwan
    May 24 '12 at 9:59






  • 1





    Not necessarly. Pens were common in the 1990s, yet they were still using Quills :)

    – Oak
    Feb 21 '16 at 22:02











  • What if he bought a Playstation, then went back in time with it?

    – thegreatjedi
    Feb 26 '16 at 8:02



















10














Harry Potter was born 31 July, 1980, and entered Hogwarts in 1991.



Source: The Harry Potter Wiki.






share|improve this answer
























  • Would the recent downvoter care to comment?

    – Keith Thompson
    Jan 9 '18 at 19:52



















10














Generally accepted answer: The books take place between 1991 and 1997



Evidence: 





  • Nearly-Headless Nick's 500th deathday party in book two has a cake with the words:




    Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington died 31st October, 1492
    (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Chapter 8)





  • Harry's parents died in 1981




    JAMES POTTER

    BORN 27 MARCH 1960

    DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981



    LILLY POTTER

    BORN 30 JANUARY 1960

    DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981
    The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
    (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 16)





  • J K Rowling's old website




    Harry Potter (1980 - )

    The Boy Who Lived, only known survivor of the Avada Kedavra curse and conqueror of Lord Voldemort, also known as Tom Riddle. Harry Potter joined the reshuffled Auror Department under Kingsley Shacklebolt at age 17, rising to become Head of said department in 2007.
    Albus Dumbledore 1881 - 1996

    Brilliant and often controversial headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore is most famous for his 1945 defeat of Grindelwald and his steadfast championing of Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. Dumbledore's self-proclaimed proudest achievement, however, was featuring on a Famous Wizards Chocolate Frog Card.
    (old jkrowling.com - Wizard of the Month)





  • Pottermore





    • Possibly the most infamous World Cup Final of the last few centuries was the Ireland-Bulgaria match of 1994, which took place on Dartmoor, England. During the post-match celebrations of Ireland’s triumph there was an outbreak of unprecedented violence as supporters of Lord Voldemort attacked fellow wizards and captured and tortured local Muggles.
      (Pottermore - History of the Quidditch World Cup)




    • Cornelius Fudge 1990 - 1996

      A career politician overly-fond of the old guard. Persistent denial of the continuing threat of Lord Voldemort ultimately cost him his job.
      Rufus Scrimgeour 1996 - 1997

      The third ex-Auror to gain office, Scrimgeour died in office at the hands of Lord Voldemort.
      Pius Thicknesse 1997 - 1998

      Omitted from most official records, as he was under the Imperius Curse for his entire term of office, and unconscious of anything that he was doing.
      Kingsley Shacklebolt 1998 - present

      Oversaw the capture of Death Eaters and Voldemort supporters following the death of Lord Voldemort. Initially named as ‘caretaker Minister’, Shacklebolt was subsequently elected to the office.
      (Pottermore - Ministers of Magic)




    • About to turn 34, there are a couple of threads of silver in the famous Auror’s black hair, but he continues to wear the distinctive round glasses that some might say are better suited to a style-deficient twelve-year-old.
      (Pottermore - Dumbledore’s Army Reunites at 2014 Quidditch World Cup Final)






Alternate explanation: The books take place between 1997 and and 2004



Evidence: 



While this isn't the generally accepted answer (for many reasons), there are other (early) canon sources that seem to indicate a different date. 




  • The first book was published in 1997 

  • Dudley has a PlayStation in Book 4 (they weren't released in Europe until 1995) 


    Dudley’s diet isn’t going too well. My aunt found him smuggling doughnuts into his room yesterday. They told him they’d have to cut his pocket money if he keeps doing it, so he got really angry and chucked his PlayStation out of the window. That’s a sort of computer thing you can play games on. Bit stupid really, now he hasn’t even got Mega-Mutilation Part Three to take his mind off things.
    (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Chapter 2)




  • The Daily Prophet Newsletters are dated 1998-1999 and are set in the timeframe of book two and three. (Fudge is the Minister, Dumbledore is the Headmaster, etc.) 


It should be reiterated that this way of calculating the dates is contradicted by practically all other canon, and is not the generally accepted answer.



Visual timeline with months/days/years



The first person to do this on a large scale is Steve Vander Ark, creator of The Harry Potter Lexicon. His dating of events is widely accepted, appearing in places ranging from HP wikia to bonus features of the Chamber of Secrets film dvd. His original timeline can be found here.






share|improve this answer
























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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes








    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    44














    All dates in the HP world trace back to the Death Day party of Nearly Headless Nick in The Chamber of Secrets. It was stated that his it was his 500th Death Day. The cake reads:



    Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington
    died 31st October, 1492


    So, it stands to reason that during the second year, Harry Potter was 12, and that it was the year 1992. All dates can be calculated from that moment in time.



    It should also be noted that this isn't strictly adhered to, specifically, Dudley has Playstation before they came out, among other things.






    share|improve this answer


























    • well, thats sad. if Dudley had a Playstation, it would have made great sense for Harry and Hermione to have cellphones and internet.

      – Manik Sethisuwan
      May 24 '12 at 9:59






    • 1





      Not necessarly. Pens were common in the 1990s, yet they were still using Quills :)

      – Oak
      Feb 21 '16 at 22:02











    • What if he bought a Playstation, then went back in time with it?

      – thegreatjedi
      Feb 26 '16 at 8:02
















    44














    All dates in the HP world trace back to the Death Day party of Nearly Headless Nick in The Chamber of Secrets. It was stated that his it was his 500th Death Day. The cake reads:



    Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington
    died 31st October, 1492


    So, it stands to reason that during the second year, Harry Potter was 12, and that it was the year 1992. All dates can be calculated from that moment in time.



    It should also be noted that this isn't strictly adhered to, specifically, Dudley has Playstation before they came out, among other things.






    share|improve this answer


























    • well, thats sad. if Dudley had a Playstation, it would have made great sense for Harry and Hermione to have cellphones and internet.

      – Manik Sethisuwan
      May 24 '12 at 9:59






    • 1





      Not necessarly. Pens were common in the 1990s, yet they were still using Quills :)

      – Oak
      Feb 21 '16 at 22:02











    • What if he bought a Playstation, then went back in time with it?

      – thegreatjedi
      Feb 26 '16 at 8:02














    44












    44








    44







    All dates in the HP world trace back to the Death Day party of Nearly Headless Nick in The Chamber of Secrets. It was stated that his it was his 500th Death Day. The cake reads:



    Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington
    died 31st October, 1492


    So, it stands to reason that during the second year, Harry Potter was 12, and that it was the year 1992. All dates can be calculated from that moment in time.



    It should also be noted that this isn't strictly adhered to, specifically, Dudley has Playstation before they came out, among other things.






    share|improve this answer















    All dates in the HP world trace back to the Death Day party of Nearly Headless Nick in The Chamber of Secrets. It was stated that his it was his 500th Death Day. The cake reads:



    Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington
    died 31st October, 1492


    So, it stands to reason that during the second year, Harry Potter was 12, and that it was the year 1992. All dates can be calculated from that moment in time.



    It should also be noted that this isn't strictly adhered to, specifically, Dudley has Playstation before they came out, among other things.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Nov 25 '11 at 21:13

























    answered Nov 25 '11 at 21:03









    PearsonArtPhotoPearsonArtPhoto

    36.5k32176272




    36.5k32176272













    • well, thats sad. if Dudley had a Playstation, it would have made great sense for Harry and Hermione to have cellphones and internet.

      – Manik Sethisuwan
      May 24 '12 at 9:59






    • 1





      Not necessarly. Pens were common in the 1990s, yet they were still using Quills :)

      – Oak
      Feb 21 '16 at 22:02











    • What if he bought a Playstation, then went back in time with it?

      – thegreatjedi
      Feb 26 '16 at 8:02



















    • well, thats sad. if Dudley had a Playstation, it would have made great sense for Harry and Hermione to have cellphones and internet.

      – Manik Sethisuwan
      May 24 '12 at 9:59






    • 1





      Not necessarly. Pens were common in the 1990s, yet they were still using Quills :)

      – Oak
      Feb 21 '16 at 22:02











    • What if he bought a Playstation, then went back in time with it?

      – thegreatjedi
      Feb 26 '16 at 8:02

















    well, thats sad. if Dudley had a Playstation, it would have made great sense for Harry and Hermione to have cellphones and internet.

    – Manik Sethisuwan
    May 24 '12 at 9:59





    well, thats sad. if Dudley had a Playstation, it would have made great sense for Harry and Hermione to have cellphones and internet.

    – Manik Sethisuwan
    May 24 '12 at 9:59




    1




    1





    Not necessarly. Pens were common in the 1990s, yet they were still using Quills :)

    – Oak
    Feb 21 '16 at 22:02





    Not necessarly. Pens were common in the 1990s, yet they were still using Quills :)

    – Oak
    Feb 21 '16 at 22:02













    What if he bought a Playstation, then went back in time with it?

    – thegreatjedi
    Feb 26 '16 at 8:02





    What if he bought a Playstation, then went back in time with it?

    – thegreatjedi
    Feb 26 '16 at 8:02













    10














    Harry Potter was born 31 July, 1980, and entered Hogwarts in 1991.



    Source: The Harry Potter Wiki.






    share|improve this answer
























    • Would the recent downvoter care to comment?

      – Keith Thompson
      Jan 9 '18 at 19:52
















    10














    Harry Potter was born 31 July, 1980, and entered Hogwarts in 1991.



    Source: The Harry Potter Wiki.






    share|improve this answer
























    • Would the recent downvoter care to comment?

      – Keith Thompson
      Jan 9 '18 at 19:52














    10












    10








    10







    Harry Potter was born 31 July, 1980, and entered Hogwarts in 1991.



    Source: The Harry Potter Wiki.






    share|improve this answer













    Harry Potter was born 31 July, 1980, and entered Hogwarts in 1991.



    Source: The Harry Potter Wiki.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Nov 25 '11 at 20:38









    Keith ThompsonKeith Thompson

    7,26443953




    7,26443953













    • Would the recent downvoter care to comment?

      – Keith Thompson
      Jan 9 '18 at 19:52



















    • Would the recent downvoter care to comment?

      – Keith Thompson
      Jan 9 '18 at 19:52

















    Would the recent downvoter care to comment?

    – Keith Thompson
    Jan 9 '18 at 19:52





    Would the recent downvoter care to comment?

    – Keith Thompson
    Jan 9 '18 at 19:52











    10














    Generally accepted answer: The books take place between 1991 and 1997



    Evidence: 





    • Nearly-Headless Nick's 500th deathday party in book two has a cake with the words:




      Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington died 31st October, 1492
      (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Chapter 8)





    • Harry's parents died in 1981




      JAMES POTTER

      BORN 27 MARCH 1960

      DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981



      LILLY POTTER

      BORN 30 JANUARY 1960

      DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981
      The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
      (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 16)





    • J K Rowling's old website




      Harry Potter (1980 - )

      The Boy Who Lived, only known survivor of the Avada Kedavra curse and conqueror of Lord Voldemort, also known as Tom Riddle. Harry Potter joined the reshuffled Auror Department under Kingsley Shacklebolt at age 17, rising to become Head of said department in 2007.
      Albus Dumbledore 1881 - 1996

      Brilliant and often controversial headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore is most famous for his 1945 defeat of Grindelwald and his steadfast championing of Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. Dumbledore's self-proclaimed proudest achievement, however, was featuring on a Famous Wizards Chocolate Frog Card.
      (old jkrowling.com - Wizard of the Month)





    • Pottermore





      • Possibly the most infamous World Cup Final of the last few centuries was the Ireland-Bulgaria match of 1994, which took place on Dartmoor, England. During the post-match celebrations of Ireland’s triumph there was an outbreak of unprecedented violence as supporters of Lord Voldemort attacked fellow wizards and captured and tortured local Muggles.
        (Pottermore - History of the Quidditch World Cup)




      • Cornelius Fudge 1990 - 1996

        A career politician overly-fond of the old guard. Persistent denial of the continuing threat of Lord Voldemort ultimately cost him his job.
        Rufus Scrimgeour 1996 - 1997

        The third ex-Auror to gain office, Scrimgeour died in office at the hands of Lord Voldemort.
        Pius Thicknesse 1997 - 1998

        Omitted from most official records, as he was under the Imperius Curse for his entire term of office, and unconscious of anything that he was doing.
        Kingsley Shacklebolt 1998 - present

        Oversaw the capture of Death Eaters and Voldemort supporters following the death of Lord Voldemort. Initially named as ‘caretaker Minister’, Shacklebolt was subsequently elected to the office.
        (Pottermore - Ministers of Magic)




      • About to turn 34, there are a couple of threads of silver in the famous Auror’s black hair, but he continues to wear the distinctive round glasses that some might say are better suited to a style-deficient twelve-year-old.
        (Pottermore - Dumbledore’s Army Reunites at 2014 Quidditch World Cup Final)






    Alternate explanation: The books take place between 1997 and and 2004



    Evidence: 



    While this isn't the generally accepted answer (for many reasons), there are other (early) canon sources that seem to indicate a different date. 




    • The first book was published in 1997 

    • Dudley has a PlayStation in Book 4 (they weren't released in Europe until 1995) 


      Dudley’s diet isn’t going too well. My aunt found him smuggling doughnuts into his room yesterday. They told him they’d have to cut his pocket money if he keeps doing it, so he got really angry and chucked his PlayStation out of the window. That’s a sort of computer thing you can play games on. Bit stupid really, now he hasn’t even got Mega-Mutilation Part Three to take his mind off things.
      (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Chapter 2)




    • The Daily Prophet Newsletters are dated 1998-1999 and are set in the timeframe of book two and three. (Fudge is the Minister, Dumbledore is the Headmaster, etc.) 


    It should be reiterated that this way of calculating the dates is contradicted by practically all other canon, and is not the generally accepted answer.



    Visual timeline with months/days/years



    The first person to do this on a large scale is Steve Vander Ark, creator of The Harry Potter Lexicon. His dating of events is widely accepted, appearing in places ranging from HP wikia to bonus features of the Chamber of Secrets film dvd. His original timeline can be found here.






    share|improve this answer






























      10














      Generally accepted answer: The books take place between 1991 and 1997



      Evidence: 





      • Nearly-Headless Nick's 500th deathday party in book two has a cake with the words:




        Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington died 31st October, 1492
        (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Chapter 8)





      • Harry's parents died in 1981




        JAMES POTTER

        BORN 27 MARCH 1960

        DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981



        LILLY POTTER

        BORN 30 JANUARY 1960

        DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981
        The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
        (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 16)





      • J K Rowling's old website




        Harry Potter (1980 - )

        The Boy Who Lived, only known survivor of the Avada Kedavra curse and conqueror of Lord Voldemort, also known as Tom Riddle. Harry Potter joined the reshuffled Auror Department under Kingsley Shacklebolt at age 17, rising to become Head of said department in 2007.
        Albus Dumbledore 1881 - 1996

        Brilliant and often controversial headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore is most famous for his 1945 defeat of Grindelwald and his steadfast championing of Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. Dumbledore's self-proclaimed proudest achievement, however, was featuring on a Famous Wizards Chocolate Frog Card.
        (old jkrowling.com - Wizard of the Month)





      • Pottermore





        • Possibly the most infamous World Cup Final of the last few centuries was the Ireland-Bulgaria match of 1994, which took place on Dartmoor, England. During the post-match celebrations of Ireland’s triumph there was an outbreak of unprecedented violence as supporters of Lord Voldemort attacked fellow wizards and captured and tortured local Muggles.
          (Pottermore - History of the Quidditch World Cup)




        • Cornelius Fudge 1990 - 1996

          A career politician overly-fond of the old guard. Persistent denial of the continuing threat of Lord Voldemort ultimately cost him his job.
          Rufus Scrimgeour 1996 - 1997

          The third ex-Auror to gain office, Scrimgeour died in office at the hands of Lord Voldemort.
          Pius Thicknesse 1997 - 1998

          Omitted from most official records, as he was under the Imperius Curse for his entire term of office, and unconscious of anything that he was doing.
          Kingsley Shacklebolt 1998 - present

          Oversaw the capture of Death Eaters and Voldemort supporters following the death of Lord Voldemort. Initially named as ‘caretaker Minister’, Shacklebolt was subsequently elected to the office.
          (Pottermore - Ministers of Magic)




        • About to turn 34, there are a couple of threads of silver in the famous Auror’s black hair, but he continues to wear the distinctive round glasses that some might say are better suited to a style-deficient twelve-year-old.
          (Pottermore - Dumbledore’s Army Reunites at 2014 Quidditch World Cup Final)






      Alternate explanation: The books take place between 1997 and and 2004



      Evidence: 



      While this isn't the generally accepted answer (for many reasons), there are other (early) canon sources that seem to indicate a different date. 




      • The first book was published in 1997 

      • Dudley has a PlayStation in Book 4 (they weren't released in Europe until 1995) 


        Dudley’s diet isn’t going too well. My aunt found him smuggling doughnuts into his room yesterday. They told him they’d have to cut his pocket money if he keeps doing it, so he got really angry and chucked his PlayStation out of the window. That’s a sort of computer thing you can play games on. Bit stupid really, now he hasn’t even got Mega-Mutilation Part Three to take his mind off things.
        (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Chapter 2)




      • The Daily Prophet Newsletters are dated 1998-1999 and are set in the timeframe of book two and three. (Fudge is the Minister, Dumbledore is the Headmaster, etc.) 


      It should be reiterated that this way of calculating the dates is contradicted by practically all other canon, and is not the generally accepted answer.



      Visual timeline with months/days/years



      The first person to do this on a large scale is Steve Vander Ark, creator of The Harry Potter Lexicon. His dating of events is widely accepted, appearing in places ranging from HP wikia to bonus features of the Chamber of Secrets film dvd. His original timeline can be found here.






      share|improve this answer




























        10












        10








        10







        Generally accepted answer: The books take place between 1991 and 1997



        Evidence: 





        • Nearly-Headless Nick's 500th deathday party in book two has a cake with the words:




          Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington died 31st October, 1492
          (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Chapter 8)





        • Harry's parents died in 1981




          JAMES POTTER

          BORN 27 MARCH 1960

          DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981



          LILLY POTTER

          BORN 30 JANUARY 1960

          DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981
          The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
          (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 16)





        • J K Rowling's old website




          Harry Potter (1980 - )

          The Boy Who Lived, only known survivor of the Avada Kedavra curse and conqueror of Lord Voldemort, also known as Tom Riddle. Harry Potter joined the reshuffled Auror Department under Kingsley Shacklebolt at age 17, rising to become Head of said department in 2007.
          Albus Dumbledore 1881 - 1996

          Brilliant and often controversial headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore is most famous for his 1945 defeat of Grindelwald and his steadfast championing of Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. Dumbledore's self-proclaimed proudest achievement, however, was featuring on a Famous Wizards Chocolate Frog Card.
          (old jkrowling.com - Wizard of the Month)





        • Pottermore





          • Possibly the most infamous World Cup Final of the last few centuries was the Ireland-Bulgaria match of 1994, which took place on Dartmoor, England. During the post-match celebrations of Ireland’s triumph there was an outbreak of unprecedented violence as supporters of Lord Voldemort attacked fellow wizards and captured and tortured local Muggles.
            (Pottermore - History of the Quidditch World Cup)




          • Cornelius Fudge 1990 - 1996

            A career politician overly-fond of the old guard. Persistent denial of the continuing threat of Lord Voldemort ultimately cost him his job.
            Rufus Scrimgeour 1996 - 1997

            The third ex-Auror to gain office, Scrimgeour died in office at the hands of Lord Voldemort.
            Pius Thicknesse 1997 - 1998

            Omitted from most official records, as he was under the Imperius Curse for his entire term of office, and unconscious of anything that he was doing.
            Kingsley Shacklebolt 1998 - present

            Oversaw the capture of Death Eaters and Voldemort supporters following the death of Lord Voldemort. Initially named as ‘caretaker Minister’, Shacklebolt was subsequently elected to the office.
            (Pottermore - Ministers of Magic)




          • About to turn 34, there are a couple of threads of silver in the famous Auror’s black hair, but he continues to wear the distinctive round glasses that some might say are better suited to a style-deficient twelve-year-old.
            (Pottermore - Dumbledore’s Army Reunites at 2014 Quidditch World Cup Final)






        Alternate explanation: The books take place between 1997 and and 2004



        Evidence: 



        While this isn't the generally accepted answer (for many reasons), there are other (early) canon sources that seem to indicate a different date. 




        • The first book was published in 1997 

        • Dudley has a PlayStation in Book 4 (they weren't released in Europe until 1995) 


          Dudley’s diet isn’t going too well. My aunt found him smuggling doughnuts into his room yesterday. They told him they’d have to cut his pocket money if he keeps doing it, so he got really angry and chucked his PlayStation out of the window. That’s a sort of computer thing you can play games on. Bit stupid really, now he hasn’t even got Mega-Mutilation Part Three to take his mind off things.
          (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Chapter 2)




        • The Daily Prophet Newsletters are dated 1998-1999 and are set in the timeframe of book two and three. (Fudge is the Minister, Dumbledore is the Headmaster, etc.) 


        It should be reiterated that this way of calculating the dates is contradicted by practically all other canon, and is not the generally accepted answer.



        Visual timeline with months/days/years



        The first person to do this on a large scale is Steve Vander Ark, creator of The Harry Potter Lexicon. His dating of events is widely accepted, appearing in places ranging from HP wikia to bonus features of the Chamber of Secrets film dvd. His original timeline can be found here.






        share|improve this answer















        Generally accepted answer: The books take place between 1991 and 1997



        Evidence: 





        • Nearly-Headless Nick's 500th deathday party in book two has a cake with the words:




          Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington died 31st October, 1492
          (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Chapter 8)





        • Harry's parents died in 1981




          JAMES POTTER

          BORN 27 MARCH 1960

          DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981



          LILLY POTTER

          BORN 30 JANUARY 1960

          DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981
          The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
          (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 16)





        • J K Rowling's old website




          Harry Potter (1980 - )

          The Boy Who Lived, only known survivor of the Avada Kedavra curse and conqueror of Lord Voldemort, also known as Tom Riddle. Harry Potter joined the reshuffled Auror Department under Kingsley Shacklebolt at age 17, rising to become Head of said department in 2007.
          Albus Dumbledore 1881 - 1996

          Brilliant and often controversial headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore is most famous for his 1945 defeat of Grindelwald and his steadfast championing of Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. Dumbledore's self-proclaimed proudest achievement, however, was featuring on a Famous Wizards Chocolate Frog Card.
          (old jkrowling.com - Wizard of the Month)





        • Pottermore





          • Possibly the most infamous World Cup Final of the last few centuries was the Ireland-Bulgaria match of 1994, which took place on Dartmoor, England. During the post-match celebrations of Ireland’s triumph there was an outbreak of unprecedented violence as supporters of Lord Voldemort attacked fellow wizards and captured and tortured local Muggles.
            (Pottermore - History of the Quidditch World Cup)




          • Cornelius Fudge 1990 - 1996

            A career politician overly-fond of the old guard. Persistent denial of the continuing threat of Lord Voldemort ultimately cost him his job.
            Rufus Scrimgeour 1996 - 1997

            The third ex-Auror to gain office, Scrimgeour died in office at the hands of Lord Voldemort.
            Pius Thicknesse 1997 - 1998

            Omitted from most official records, as he was under the Imperius Curse for his entire term of office, and unconscious of anything that he was doing.
            Kingsley Shacklebolt 1998 - present

            Oversaw the capture of Death Eaters and Voldemort supporters following the death of Lord Voldemort. Initially named as ‘caretaker Minister’, Shacklebolt was subsequently elected to the office.
            (Pottermore - Ministers of Magic)




          • About to turn 34, there are a couple of threads of silver in the famous Auror’s black hair, but he continues to wear the distinctive round glasses that some might say are better suited to a style-deficient twelve-year-old.
            (Pottermore - Dumbledore’s Army Reunites at 2014 Quidditch World Cup Final)






        Alternate explanation: The books take place between 1997 and and 2004



        Evidence: 



        While this isn't the generally accepted answer (for many reasons), there are other (early) canon sources that seem to indicate a different date. 




        • The first book was published in 1997 

        • Dudley has a PlayStation in Book 4 (they weren't released in Europe until 1995) 


          Dudley’s diet isn’t going too well. My aunt found him smuggling doughnuts into his room yesterday. They told him they’d have to cut his pocket money if he keeps doing it, so he got really angry and chucked his PlayStation out of the window. That’s a sort of computer thing you can play games on. Bit stupid really, now he hasn’t even got Mega-Mutilation Part Three to take his mind off things.
          (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Chapter 2)




        • The Daily Prophet Newsletters are dated 1998-1999 and are set in the timeframe of book two and three. (Fudge is the Minister, Dumbledore is the Headmaster, etc.) 


        It should be reiterated that this way of calculating the dates is contradicted by practically all other canon, and is not the generally accepted answer.



        Visual timeline with months/days/years



        The first person to do this on a large scale is Steve Vander Ark, creator of The Harry Potter Lexicon. His dating of events is widely accepted, appearing in places ranging from HP wikia to bonus features of the Chamber of Secrets film dvd. His original timeline can be found here.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited May 2 '16 at 3:42

























        answered Feb 26 '16 at 7:27









        ibidibid

        43.9k18223336




        43.9k18223336

















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