Deseret News archives: In 2001, ‘Harry Potter’ hit the movie screen to great fanfare

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
On Nov. 16, 2001, the first film in the Harry Potter series, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” — or in the U.S., “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” — debuted in theaters around the world.
Ahh, Harry Potter. The child wizard. Over the next 10 years, fans waited, then watched all eight movies, and debated them. We stayed up for midnight showings. Halloween costumes reflected the impact.
Now, more than 20 years after the fact, most of the world has become acquainted with J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” book series, the blockbuster movies, the inevitable controversies, the spinoffs.
We’ve seen the young actors become adults. But no matter how old fans have become, they still love Harry, Ron, Hermione and the others.
To put things in perspective, Americans were still reeling from 9/11. The 2002 Winter Olympics were still a few months away. Utahns embraced the books, the movies and the series.
Here are some stories from Deseret News archives on the “Harry Potter” era, and what we remember:
“Growing Up With ‘Harry Potter’: A tribute to the end of an era”
“What is your Harry Potter connection? Deseret News readers share their stories”
“No letting go for generation that grew up with Harry Potter and his pals”
“Here are 10 things you never knew about the ‘Harry Potter’ films, including a Utah celeb’s random cameo”
“Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling and the power of myth”
“‘Harry Potter’ reunion trailer is finally here”
“Utah bookstore knew Harry Potter was magic from the start”
“HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ series will allow for the beloved franchise to be explored ‘more in-depth’”
“Utah’s favorite ‘Harry Potter’ character is …”
“Perspective: Harry Potter’s birthday and the reality of fiction”