29 years ago, on September 1, 1991, at 11.00 am, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley boarded the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 and 3/4 from King’s Cross Station.
After meeting for the first time, the three characters from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series put on their school robes, ate wonderous delights from the Honeydukes Express food trolley, and we got to know our three heroes.
From its very magical beginnings, Harry Potter captivated audiences around the world and if you’re a serious fan of the novels, you may be interested in a live stream taking place at 7.30 pm AEST on Tuesday, September 1 for a Back to Hogwarts special.
While the excitement of this milestone is quite incredible, you may still be reeling on the fact that all of this took place almost three decades ago.
So, in honour of Harry Potter’s first day at Hogwarts, we take a look at what else happened in 1991 and trust us, it will make you feel very old.
Films
In 1991, films My Girl, Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey, Father of the Bride, Bugsy, The Addams Family, Boyz n the Hood, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Hook, The Silence of the Lambs, Curly Sue and Beauty and the Beast were all released in cinemas.
TV
The Simpsons made its debut on Network Ten, Blossom, Rugrats, The Ren and Stimpy Show, Doug, Home Improvement, Step by Step and The Jerry Springer Show all made their way to TV screens across the globe.
Music
In music, it was the year of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit, Boys II Men’s Motownphilly, Bryan Adams’ (Everything I Do) I Do it For You, Marc Cohn’s Walking in Memphis, Prince’s Cream, Lenny Kravitz’ It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over, Guns N’ Roses’ November Rain and Jesus Jones’ Right Here Right Now.
Technology
The very first web page went live on August 6, posted by Tim Berners-Lee.
Australia
In 1991, Bob Hawke was Prime Minister, a flood emergency was declared in the Queensland Gulf country, a mini cyclone left a trail of destruction in Sydney, Billy Joel toured Australia, Professor Fred Hollows was named Australian of the Year, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission handed down a national wage decision which gave Australia’s 7 million workers a 2.5% pay rise, Queensland’s Warner Bros. Movie World opened with Mel Gibson, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn in attendance, and leading Sydney heart surgeon Dr Victor Chang was shot and killed near his home in the Sydney suburb of Mosman.
Sport in Australia
Swimmer Hayley Lewis made it into the finals of the World Swimming Championships, the Adelaide Crows play their first game in the AFL, Penrith defeated Canberra 19–12 to win the 84th NSWRL premiership and Hawthorn (20.19.139) defeat the West Coast Eagles (13.8.86) to win the 95th VFL/AFL premiership.
What do you remember from 1991?