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- July 8th, 2000 🪄
July 8th, 2000 🪄
From the wizard to the Wall (Street Journal)
Today, we’re dialing the time machine to July 8th, 2000. It was a big day for readers everywhere, as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was released in both the US and the UK, and the Wall Street Journal was celebrating it’s 111th birthday.
If you’re enjoying these little nostalgia trips, tell a friend about this newsletter! (using your unique referral link). Or in classic early 2000s email forwarding fashion, FW: FW: FW: FW: FW: FW: 😜
Let’s go! 🚀
July 8th, 2000 📆
at least one person got the “dress like a wizard to the book release” memo
On July 8, 2000, bookstores across the globe transformed into magical meccas as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the fourth installment in J.K. Rowling’s wizarding saga, flew off the shelves. It was the first book of the series to be released on the same day in both the US and the UK, and it was strategically released on a Saturday so that kids in the UK wouldn’t have to worry about missing the release due to school. American kids had it easy with summer break…
This wasn’t just any book release. Goblet of Fire marked a turning point in the series, both in tone and plot complexity. Harry was no longer just a boy fighting trolls and acing Potions class; he was now tangled in a deadly Triwizard Tournament, facing dragons, mermaids, and puberty. Oh, and Voldemort officially made his comeback, so things got real.
The anticipation was so intense that publisher Bloomsbury kept the book under lock and key, fearing spoilers would leak. When it finally hit shelves, Goblet of Fire broke records: selling over three million copies in the first weekend in the U.S. alone, and an estimated 65 million copies worldwide in total.
What's your favorite Harry Potter book? |
Take Me Back ⏮️
🎥 What we’re watching: Season 2 of The Sopranos
🕹️ What we’re playing: Madden 2000 on Game Boy Color
📖 What we’re reading: Besides The Goblet of Fire? Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
🥤 What we’re drinking: Berry Blue Kool-Aid Bursts (out of these plastic bottles)
🛒 What we’re buying: An original Slip ‘N Slide (sorry about your grass, Dad)
👦 Who we’re following: The world’s best comedy improv show host, Drew Carey
🍔 What we’re eating: A chalupa from Taco Bell (don’t drop it!)
🎤 What we’re singing: “Oops!… I Did It Again” by Britney Spears 👇
This music video is out of this world. Literally.
Just For Fun 🙃
The very first edition of the Wall Street Journal was published on July 8th, 1889 meaning today was its 111th birthday.
It was founded by Charles Dow, Edward Jones, and Charles Bergstresser as an afternoon newspaper delivering news to the Wall Street Stock Exchange in New York City, and it only cost $0.02. Talk about inflation…
OOTD On This Day🧢
Two Britney Spears references in one newsletter? Yep.
The hat. The choker necklace. The dress over the jeans. The knee-high boots. Just a perfect early-2000s outfit.
Happy Birthday🎂
American actor Kevin Bacon turned 42 today, and had just wrapped up Hollow Man.