The 1900s
Events of this decade:
early 1900s
The [Tutshill Tornados] win five consecutive [British and Irish Quidditch League] titlesThey are captained to all five by the famous [Roderick Plumpton].
(QA7)
The [Tutshill Tornados] win five consecutive [British and Irish Quidditch League] titlesThey are captained to all five by the famous [Roderick Plumpton].(QA7)
1900 (Y-80) AD = 19
1901 (Y-79) AD = 20
1902 (Y-78) AD = 21
The "Wizarding Suite" is banned from performancesDuring a performance of the famous unfinished piece by Musidora Barkwith, its trademark exploding tuba blows the roof off of the Ackerly Town Hall, and the piece is subsequently banned from performance.(fw)
1903 (Y-77) AD = 22
1904 (Y-76) AD = 23
[Dorcas Wellbeloved], founder of the [Society for Distressed Witches], dies (fw) Lycoris Black is born (BFT)
1906 (Y-74) AD = 25
Regulus Black is bornThis is not Sirius Black's brother Regulus, but rather a great uncle to both of them.
(BFT)
(BFT)
1907 (Y-73) AD = 26
Merope Gaunt is born to Marvolo Gaunt and an unknown, [pure-blood] motherWe know her birth year because at the end of 1925 [[Y-55]], when she plots to marry Tom Riddle, she is eighteen years old.
(HBP13)
The 1910s
1910 (Y-70) AD = 29
[Quidditch] referree [Leopoldina Smethwyck] dies (fw)1911 (Y-69) AD = 30
Famous [Chaser] [Joscelind Wadcock] is bornShe would become known for her play with the [Puddlemere United].(fw)
1912 (Y-68) AD = 31
Comedian and famously purple wizard [Derwent Shimpling] is born (fw) Pollux Black is bornHe is the grandfather of Sirius, Regulus, Bellatrix, Narcissa, and [Andromeda Black].
(BFT)
(BFT)
1915 (Y-65) AD = 34
Cassiopeia Black is born (BFT)
[Jocunda Sykes] is bornShe later becomes the first person to cross the Atlantic on a [broomstick].(fw)
Callidora Black Longbottom is bornCallidora is still alive today. Any relation to Neville is unknown.
(BFT)
(BFT)
1917 (Y-63) AD = 36
In the Muggle world:
[Frank Bryce] is bornFrank was about to celebrate his 77th birthday at the beginning of GF, which is 1994 [[Y14]]. He was born, then, 77 years before this, which is 1917 [[Y-63]].
(GF1)
[Frank Bryce] is bornFrank was about to celebrate his 77th birthday at the beginning of GF, which is 1994 [[Y14]]. He was born, then, 77 years before this, which is 1917 [[Y-63]].
(GF1)
[Celestina Warbeck], the "Singing Sorceress," is born (fw)1918 (Y-62) AD = 37
[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them] is commissioned[Augustus Worme] of [Obscurus Books] commissions the young [Newt Scamander] to write a guide of magical beasts. The result is [Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them], first published in 1927, a book which has since gone into 52 editions.(FB)
1919 (Y-61) AD = 38
Charis Black Crouch is born (BFT)
The 1920s
1920 (Y-60) AD = 39
Dorea Black Potter, wife of Charlus Potter, is bornThis is unlikely to be James Potter's mother, as [Rowling] has told us that James's mother was old in wizarding terms when she died - and Dorea only lived to be 57. Also, James's parents took in Sirius Black after he ran away from home, and therefore would almost certainly have been blasted off the [Black Family Tree].
(BFT)
(BFT)
1921 (Y-59) AD = 40
Snitch record set[Roderick Plumpton] of the [Tutshill Tornados] makes the fastest-ever capture of the Snitch: three and a half seconds, in a match against the [Caerphilly Catapaults].(QA7)
1922 (Y-58) AD = 41
[Carlotta Pinkstone], famous for wanting to lift the [Statute of Secrecy], is born (fw)c. 1925 (Y-55)
October 4
Minerva McGonagall is bornJKR said in Sch2 that McGonagall was "a sprightly 70" years old. Using that information, we can determine the year in which she was born by subtracting 70 years. As with [Dumbledore]'s birthyear, the trick, of course, is knowing what year to subtract that 70 years from. If we assume that Rowling was saying that McGonagall was 70 years old at that point in the stories, which was summer of 1995 [[Y15]], then she was born in [Y-55] ([Y15] minus 70 years). According to the official timeline, [Y-55] is 1925. Interestingly, that would make McGonagall a contemporary of Tom Marvolo Riddle at Hogwarts...
October 4 comes from JKR.
original artwork © 2001 [Laura Freeman], used by permission
Minerva McGonagall is bornJKR said in Sch2 that McGonagall was "a sprightly 70" years old. Using that information, we can determine the year in which she was born by subtracting 70 years. As with [Dumbledore]'s birthyear, the trick, of course, is knowing what year to subtract that 70 years from. If we assume that Rowling was saying that McGonagall was 70 years old at that point in the stories, which was summer of 1995 [[Y15]], then she was born in [Y-55] ([Y15] minus 70 years). According to the official timeline, [Y-55] is 1925. Interestingly, that would make McGonagall a contemporary of Tom Marvolo Riddle at Hogwarts...October 4 comes from JKR.
original artwork © 2001 [Laura Freeman], used by permission
1925 (Y-55) AD = 44 MM = 0
Lucretia Black Prewett is bornThis is almost certainly not Molly Weasley's mother, as this would make Molly and Sirius cousins - not "cousins by marriage" as Sirius describes (OP6). More likely is that [Ignatius Prewett], who married Lucretia, is Molly's uncle.
(BFT)
(BFT)
Phineas Nigellus Black dies ([BFT])He is the least popular Heamaster Hogwarts ever had, at least according to his great-great-grandson, Sirius (OP6).circa September
[Bob Ogden] visits the Gaunt house on a routine follow-upThere he encounters the irate Marvolo Gaunt who, along with his son Morfin, refuse to admit Morfin has done anything wrong. When [Bob Ogden] steps in to stop them injuring Morfin's sister, Merope, he is driven from the house. He returns later with reinforcements, and Marvolo and Morfin are each sent to [Azkaban].
This happens "a few months" before Merope marries Tom Riddle.
(HBP10)
[Bob Ogden] visits the Gaunt house on a routine follow-upThere he encounters the irate Marvolo Gaunt who, along with his son Morfin, refuse to admit Morfin has done anything wrong. When [Bob Ogden] steps in to stop them injuring Morfin's sister, Merope, he is driven from the house. He returns later with reinforcements, and Marvolo and Morfin are each sent to [Azkaban].This happens "a few months" before Merope marries Tom Riddle.
(HBP10)
circa December
Merope Gaunt fools Tom Riddle into marrying herShe most likely does so by giving him a [love potion].
[Dumbledore] says that Merope and Riddle were married about a year before Tom Marvolo Riddle was born, on December 31, 1926 [[Y-54]].
(HBP10)
Merope Gaunt fools Tom Riddle into marrying herShe most likely does so by giving him a [love potion].[Dumbledore] says that Merope and Riddle were married about a year before Tom Marvolo Riddle was born, on December 31, 1926 [[Y-54]].
(HBP10)
1926 (Y-54) AD = 45 MM = 1 TR = 0
[Bob, Bill, and Barnaby Ollerton] start the Cleansweep Broom CompanyTheir first broom, the Cleansweep One, revolutionizes the game of [Quidditch].(QA9)
circa March
Marvolo Gaunt returns from [Azkaban] to find Merope goneHe had been given a six-month sentence. Forced to live alone, he withers away and dies sometime within the next two and a half years.
(HBP10)
Marvolo Gaunt returns from [Azkaban] to find Merope goneHe had been given a six-month sentence. Forced to live alone, he withers away and dies sometime within the next two and a half years.
(HBP10)
circa March 31
Merope Gaunt gets pregnant with Tom Marvolo RiddleHer husband, Tom Riddle, leaves her very soon afterward - [Dumbledore] suspects because she stops giving him [love potion].
The date is deduced from being nine months before Voldemort's birth date. We know Riddle leaves her soon afterward because they were only married for "a few months."
(HBP10)
Merope Gaunt gets pregnant with Tom Marvolo RiddleHer husband, Tom Riddle, leaves her very soon afterward - [Dumbledore] suspects because she stops giving him [love potion].The date is deduced from being nine months before Voldemort's birth date. We know Riddle leaves her soon afterward because they were only married for "a few months."
(HBP10)
December
Merope Gaunt sells Slytherin's locket to [Borgin and Burkes]Pregnant and desperate for money, she has no idea what it's worth and is only given ten [Galleons] for it. The locket is later sold to [Hepzibah Smith].
According to Caractacus Burke, this happened "just before Christmas."
(HBP13)
Merope Gaunt sells Slytherin's locket to [Borgin and Burkes]Pregnant and desperate for money, she has no idea what it's worth and is only given ten [Galleons] for it. The locket is later sold to [Hepzibah Smith].
According to Caractacus Burke, this happened "just before Christmas."
(HBP13)
late December 31
Tom Marvolo Riddle is bornHe is born in a Muggle [orphanage] to a witch mother, Merope Gaunt, and Muggle father, Tom Riddle. His mother Merope dies an hour later, living just long enough to name her son after his father, Tom, and her father, Marvolo Gaunt (HBP13). She is nineteen years old.
The older Tom Riddle had previously left Merope when he realized that she was a witch (HBP10), and the child is raised in the [orphanage] (HBP13).
Tom Marvolo Riddle said that he was sixteen years old at the time of Hagrid's expulsion from Hogwarts ([CS17]). Hagrid was expelled in his third year, which was fifty years ago from June of 1993 [[Y13]]. Tom was therefore 16 in 1943 [[Y-37]] - meaning his sixteenth birthday was New Year's Eve, 1942 [[Y-38]], and his date of birth was in 1926 [[Y-54]]. However, according to the official timeline ([CS/DVD]), Hagrid's expulsion was in June of 1942, not 1943, which means that Hagrid's expulsion from Hogwarts was actually fifty-ONE years before June of 1993 [[Y13]]. Riddle was 16, then, in June of 1942 [[Y-38]], and therefore was born in 1925 [[Y-55]]. Either date may be considered correct. However, since the Lexicon follows what is directly given in the books over other sources, the dates in this timeline are derived from a literal interpretation of fifty years.
New Year's Eve is given in HBP13. Depending on exactly when Merope Gaunt arrived at the orphanage, Tom may have been born on New Year's Eve or just after midnight, on New Year's Day. Since the book says New Year's Eve, however, that's what we go with here.
Tom Marvolo Riddle is bornHe is born in a Muggle [orphanage] to a witch mother, Merope Gaunt, and Muggle father, Tom Riddle. His mother Merope dies an hour later, living just long enough to name her son after his father, Tom, and her father, Marvolo Gaunt (HBP13). She is nineteen years old.The older Tom Riddle had previously left Merope when he realized that she was a witch (HBP10), and the child is raised in the [orphanage] (HBP13).
Tom Marvolo Riddle said that he was sixteen years old at the time of Hagrid's expulsion from Hogwarts ([CS17]). Hagrid was expelled in his third year, which was fifty years ago from June of 1993 [[Y13]]. Tom was therefore 16 in 1943 [[Y-37]] - meaning his sixteenth birthday was New Year's Eve, 1942 [[Y-38]], and his date of birth was in 1926 [[Y-54]]. However, according to the official timeline ([CS/DVD]), Hagrid's expulsion was in June of 1942, not 1943, which means that Hagrid's expulsion from Hogwarts was actually fifty-ONE years before June of 1993 [[Y13]]. Riddle was 16, then, in June of 1942 [[Y-38]], and therefore was born in 1925 [[Y-55]]. Either date may be considered correct. However, since the Lexicon follows what is directly given in the books over other sources, the dates in this timeline are derived from a literal interpretation of fifty years.
New Year's Eve is given in HBP13. Depending on exactly when Merope Gaunt arrived at the orphanage, Tom may have been born on New Year's Eve or just after midnight, on New Year's Day. Since the book says New Year's Eve, however, that's what we go with here.
1927 (Y-53) AD = 46 MM = 2 TR = 1
1928 (Y-52) AD = 47 MM = 3 TR = 2 RH = 0
circa September
Morfin Gaunt returns from [Azkaban]He returns after a three-year sentence to find both his father and sister, Marvolo and Merope, dead. He lives alone in the Gaunt house for many years, until Tom Riddle returns and frames him for murdering the Riddle family.
(HBP10)
Morfin Gaunt returns from [Azkaban]He returns after a three-year sentence to find both his father and sister, Marvolo and Merope, dead. He lives alone in the Gaunt house for many years, until Tom Riddle returns and frames him for murdering the Riddle family.
(HBP10)
1929 (Y-51) AD = 48 MM = 4 TR = 3 RH = 1
[Randolph Keitch] and [Basil Horton] found the Comet Trading CompanyTheir first model is the Comet 140.(QA9)
The 1930s
c. 1931 (Y-49)
Fridwulfa abandons Hagrid and his father, her human family"Course, I can' remember her too well... she left, see. When I was abou' three. She wasn' really the maternal sort."(GF34)
1931 (Y-49) AD = 50 MM = 6 TR = 5 RH = 3
1932 (Y-48) AD = 51 MM = 7 TR = 6 RH = 4
The Ilfracombe IncidentGreat Britain | Ilfracombe
A rogue Welsh Green dragon descends on a beach full of Muggle holidaymakers ([FB]). [Tilly Toke] and her family happen to be there ([fw]), and her family casts the largest Mass [Memory Charm] of this century on all the Muggles of Ilfracombe. She is later awarded the [Order of Merlin] First Class for her quick action ([FB]). The Muggles later remember nothing of the incident, with the exception of an old fellow known as [Dodgy Dirk], who still claims that a "dirty great flying lizard" attacked him on the beach. People think he's crazy, of course ([fw]).(FB)
The [Appleby Arrows]' finest hourIn what is considered by many fans to be the team's finest hour, the [Appleby Arrows] defeat the [Vrasta Vultures] in a [Quidditch] match that lasts sixteen days.(QA7)
1934 (Y-46) AD = 53 MM = 9 TR = 8 RH = 6
1935 (Y-45) AD = 54 MM = 10 TR = 9 RH = 7
[Jocunda Sykes] crosses the Atlantic by [broom]Riding an Oakshaft 79, she becomes the first witch or wizard in history to accomplish the feat.(QA9)
c. 1937 (Y-43)
September 1
Minerva McGonagall starts her first year at Hogwarts (Sch2)She is subsequently sorted into Gryffindor (JKR).
We know this because [Rowling] has stated on her website that Heads of Houses were members of those Houses when they were students at Hogwarts.
Minerva McGonagall starts her first year at Hogwarts (Sch2)She is subsequently sorted into Gryffindor (JKR).We know this because [Rowling] has stated on her website that Heads of Houses were members of those Houses when they were students at Hogwarts.
1937 (Y-43) AD = 56 MM = 12 TR = 11 RH = 9
1938 (Y-42) AD = 57 MM = 13 TR = 12 RH = 10
before September
[Dumbledore] visits Tom Riddle in the [orphanage] and offers him a place at Hogwarts (HBP13)
[Dumbledore] visits Tom Riddle in the [orphanage] and offers him a place at Hogwarts (HBP13)September 1
Tom Marvolo Riddle starts his first year at Hogwarts and is sorted into SlytherinMinerva McGonagall is starting her second year.
This is based on Riddle's birthday of New Year's Eve, 1926 [[Y-54]].
Tom Marvolo Riddle starts his first year at Hogwarts and is sorted into SlytherinMinerva McGonagall is starting her second year.This is based on Riddle's birthday of New Year's Eve, 1926 [[Y-54]].
1939 (Y-41) AD = 58 MM = 14 TR = 13 RH = 11
circa September
Tom Riddle learns about the Chamber of Secrets and decides to find and open itHe is in his second year at Hogwarts.
(CS17)
Tom Riddle learns about the Chamber of Secrets and decides to find and open itHe is in his second year at Hogwarts.(CS17)
The 1940s
Events of this decade:
early 1940s
[Albus Dumbledore] is the Transfiguration teacher at HogwartsArmando Dippet is the Headmaster.
We don't know exactly when [Dumbledore] took the Transfiguration post (except that it was before 1938 [[Y-42]]), but we do know that he taught Transfiguration while Tom Marvolo Riddle was a student (HBP13, HBP20).
[Albus Dumbledore] is the Transfiguration teacher at HogwartsArmando Dippet is the Headmaster.We don't know exactly when [Dumbledore] took the Transfiguration post (except that it was before 1938 [[Y-42]]), but we do know that he taught Transfiguration while Tom Marvolo Riddle was a student (HBP13, HBP20).
early 1940s
[Frank Bryce] returns from fighting in World War Two.He "had a hard war," according to the barkeep at the pub in Little Hangleton. He was wounded and walks with a limp. He takes up as gardener for the Riddles and avoids people for the most part.
[Bryce] came home quite a few years before the end of the war in 1945, undoubtedly because he was wounded.
(GF1)
[Frank Bryce] returns from fighting in World War Two.He "had a hard war," according to the barkeep at the pub in Little Hangleton. He was wounded and walks with a limp. He takes up as gardener for the Riddles and avoids people for the most part.
[Bryce] came home quite a few years before the end of the war in 1945, undoubtedly because he was wounded.
(GF1)
1940 (Y-40) AD = 59 MM = 15 TR = 14 RH = 12
September 1
Rubeus Hagrid starts his first year at Hogwarts and is sorted into GryffindorHis birthday is December 6 (JKR), so he turns 12 a couple of months after starting Hogwarts.
Meanwhile, Tom Riddle is starting his third year, and Minerva McGonagall her fourth.
The year is based on Hagrid's birthdate of December 6, 1928 [[Y-52]].
Rubeus Hagrid starts his first year at Hogwarts and is sorted into GryffindorHis birthday is December 6 (JKR), so he turns 12 a couple of months after starting Hogwarts.Meanwhile, Tom Riddle is starting his third year, and Minerva McGonagall her fourth.
The year is based on Hagrid's birthdate of December 6, 1928 [[Y-52]].
c. 1941 (Y-39)
Hagrid acquires an Acromantula egg and hatches Aragog in a Hogwarts cupboard"I was not born in the castle. I come from a distant land. A traveler gave me to Hagrid when I was an egg. Hagrid was only a boy, but he cared for me, hidden in a cupboard in the castle, feeding me on scraps from the table."This happened somewhere between Hagrid starting at Hogwarts in the fall of 1940, and his expulsion in the spring of 1943.
(CS)
Hagrid's father dies"Course, I never was great shakes at magic, really... but at least he never saw me expelled. Died, see, in me second year..."All we know is that Hagrid's father died during his second year, so it's equally possible that his death was in fall of 1941 or spring of 1942.
(GF24)
1941 (Y-39) AD = 60 MM = 16 TR = 15 RH = 13
December 7
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
1942 (Y-38) AD = 61 MM = 17 TR = 16 RH = 14
Famous [Montrose Magpies] [Seeker] [Eunice Murray] dies (QA7)September 1
Tom Riddle starts his fifth year at Hogwarts and is made a [Prefect] ([CS17])McGonagall is starting her sixth year and Hagrid his third.
The dates are based on birthdays from 1925-1928 [[Y-55]-[Y-52]].
Tom Riddle starts his fifth year at Hogwarts and is made a [Prefect] ([CS17])McGonagall is starting her sixth year and Hagrid his third.The dates are based on birthdays from 1925-1928 [[Y-55]-[Y-52]].
1943 (Y-37) AD = 62 MM = 18 TR = 17 RH = 15
Cygnus Black, son of Phineas Nigellus Black, dies at age 54He is the great-grandfather to Sirius and Regulus Black, as well as Bellatrix, Narcissa, and [Andromeda Black].
(BFT)
(BFT)
circa May
Tom Riddle learns to open the Chamber of Secrets and releases the Basilisk"It had taken me five whole years to find out everything I could about the Chamber of Secrets and discover the secret entrance."
(CS17)
Tom Riddle learns to open the Chamber of Secrets and releases the Basilisk"It had taken me five whole years to find out everything I could about the Chamber of Secrets and discover the secret entrance." (CS17)
circa May
Myrtle, a Hogwarts student, dies in a second floor bathroom after seeing the Basilisk (CS16)
Myrtle, a Hogwarts student, dies in a second floor bathroom after seeing the Basilisk (CS16)June 13
Hagrid is falsely accused of opening the Chamber of SecretsHe is so accused because Tom Riddle catches him raising an Acromantula in the castle.
(CS17)
Hagrid is falsely accused of opening the Chamber of SecretsHe is so accused because Tom Riddle catches him raising an Acromantula in the castle. (CS17)
June 13
Aragog the Acromantula is released into the Forbidden Forest (CS13)Hagrid will later find him a wife, Mosag, and together they will establish a colony (CS15).
Aragog the Acromantula is released into the Forbidden Forest (CS13)Hagrid will later find him a wife, Mosag, and together they will establish a colony (CS15).after June 13
Rubeus Hagrid is expelled from HogwartsHe is expelled after being accused of opening the Chamber of Secrets.
(CS17)
Rubeus Hagrid is expelled from HogwartsHe is expelled after being accused of opening the Chamber of Secrets.(CS17)
after June 13
Tom Riddle is given an [Award for Special Services to the School]He receives it for helping "catch" Hagrid and accusing him (falsely) of opening the Chamber of Secrets (CS13, [CS17]).
Tom Riddle is given an [Award for Special Services to the School]He receives it for helping "catch" Hagrid and accusing him (falsely) of opening the Chamber of Secrets (CS13, [CS17]).after June 13
Hagrid remains at Hogwarts and is trained as gamekeeper, thanks to [Dumbledore]"Only the Transfiguration teacher, [Dumbledore], seemed to think Hagrid was innocent. He persuaded Dippet to keep Hagrid and train him as gamekeeper."
(CS17)
Hagrid remains at Hogwarts and is trained as gamekeeper, thanks to [Dumbledore]"Only the Transfiguration teacher, [Dumbledore], seemed to think Hagrid was innocent. He persuaded Dippet to keep Hagrid and train him as gamekeeper."(CS17)
circa July
Tom Riddle commits his first murders: his father and grandparents in their Little Hangleton mansionHe first visits his uncle, Morfin Gaunt, and uses magic to steal Marvolo's ring and frame Morfin for the murders of the Muggles in the Riddle house.
The next day, Morfin is taken to [Azkaban], where he remains until his death.
"In the summer of his sixteenth year, he left the [orphanage] to which he returned annually and set off to find his Gaunt relatives... Meanwhile, in the village of Little Hangleton, a maid was running along the high street, screaming that there were three bodies lying in the drawing room of the big house: Tom Riddle Senior and his mother and father."
(HBP17)
Tom Riddle commits his first murders: his father and grandparents in their Little Hangleton mansionHe first visits his uncle, Morfin Gaunt, and uses magic to steal Marvolo's ring and frame Morfin for the murders of the Muggles in the Riddle house.The next day, Morfin is taken to [Azkaban], where he remains until his death.
"In the summer of his sixteenth year, he left the [orphanage] to which he returned annually and set off to find his Gaunt relatives... Meanwhile, in the village of Little Hangleton, a maid was running along the high street, screaming that there were three bodies lying in the drawing room of the big house: Tom Riddle Senior and his mother and father."
(HBP17)
circa September
Tom Riddle meets with Professor Slughorn and asks him about HorcruxesHe is now wearing the ring he stole from his uncle Morfin during the summer, and is accompanied by his group of friends which includes Avery and [Lestrange].
(HBP23)
Tom Riddle meets with Professor Slughorn and asks him about HorcruxesHe is now wearing the ring he stole from his uncle Morfin during the summer, and is accompanied by his group of friends which includes Avery and [Lestrange].(HBP23)
circa September
Tom Marvolo Riddle creates his first Horcrux: the diaryHe uses the recent murders and the knowledge he gained from Slughorn to work the Dark Magic required to turn the diary into a Horcrux (HBP23).
"I knew it wouldn't be safe to open the Chamber again while I was still at school. But I wasn't going to waste those long years I'd spent searching for it. I decided to leave behind a diary, preserving my sixteen-year-old self in its pages, so that one day, with luck, I would be able to lead another in my footsteps, and finish Salazar Slytherin's noble work" ([CS17]).
Tom says that he placed his "sixteen-year-old self" into the diary ([CS17]), so he must have done it in the fall after the summer when he killed the Riddles and before he turned 17 at the end of December. His conversation with Slughorn where he learned about Horcruxes must have taken place after school started that September, so the timeframe for the creation of the diary Horcrux is between September and December, 1943 [[Y-37]]. All along, Tom realized that [Dumbledore] was watching him closely (HBP23).
Tom Marvolo Riddle creates his first Horcrux: the diaryHe uses the recent murders and the knowledge he gained from Slughorn to work the Dark Magic required to turn the diary into a Horcrux (HBP23)."I knew it wouldn't be safe to open the Chamber again while I was still at school. But I wasn't going to waste those long years I'd spent searching for it. I decided to leave behind a diary, preserving my sixteen-year-old self in its pages, so that one day, with luck, I would be able to lead another in my footsteps, and finish Salazar Slytherin's noble work" ([CS17]).
Tom says that he placed his "sixteen-year-old self" into the diary ([CS17]), so he must have done it in the fall after the summer when he killed the Riddles and before he turned 17 at the end of December. His conversation with Slughorn where he learned about Horcruxes must have taken place after school started that September, so the timeframe for the creation of the diary Horcrux is between September and December, 1943 [[Y-37]]. All along, Tom realized that [Dumbledore] was watching him closely (HBP23).
1944 (Y-36) AD = 63 MM = 19 TR = 18 RH = 16
September 1
Tom Riddle begins his seventh year at Hogwarts and is made [Head Boy]He is dabbling in the Dark Arts, having already created a Horcrux, and some of his closest friends are already referring to him as Lord Voldemort; outwardly, however, he is a model student ([CS17], HBP23).
Tom Riddle begins his seventh year at Hogwarts and is made [Head Boy]He is dabbling in the Dark Arts, having already created a Horcrux, and some of his closest friends are already referring to him as Lord Voldemort; outwardly, however, he is a model student ([CS17], HBP23).1945 (Y-35) AD = 64 MM = 20 TR = 19 RH = 17
circa June
Tom Riddle graduates and applies for a job teaching at HogwartsHeadmaster Armando Dippet turns him down, saying that at eighteen he is too young. He then goes to work for [Borgin and Burkes] instead.
We don't know when this happened exactly, except that it was almost certainly within a few weeks of the end of school. Riddle gets the job at [Borgin and Burkes] "the next thing the staff knew," according to [Dumbledore].
(HBP20)
Tom Riddle graduates and applies for a job teaching at HogwartsHeadmaster Armando Dippet turns him down, saying that at eighteen he is too young. He then goes to work for [Borgin and Burkes] instead.We don't know when this happened exactly, except that it was almost certainly within a few weeks of the end of school. Riddle gets the job at [Borgin and Burkes] "the next thing the staff knew," according to [Dumbledore].
(HBP20)
August
World War Two ends
World War Two ends
c. 1947 (Y-33)
Tom Riddle kills [Hepzibah Smith], framing her house-elf, HokeyAfter doing so, he steals Slytherin's locket and Hufflepuff's cup - items he later uses to make Horcruxes.We don't know exactly when this happened, but it is probably within a couple of years of Voldemort's leaving Hogwarts. It's possible this happened later than 1946 or 1947 [[Y-34] or [Y-33]], but unlikely that it happened sooner.
original artwork © [Makani] 2004, used by permission
(HBP20)
Tom Marvolo Riddle disappearsAfter the death of [Hepzibah Smith], Riddle vanishes for ten years. He travels far and wide, sinking deeply into the Dark Arts, consorting with the very worst of wizard-kind. He undergoes so many dangerous, magical transformations that when he resurfaces years later as Lord Voldemort, he is barely recognizable.(HBP20)
1947 (Y-33) AD = 66 MM = 22 TR = 21 RH = 19
[Darren O'Hare] begins his illustrious career with the [Kenmare Kestrels]He would go on to play for them until 1960.(QA7)
[Newt Scamander] creates the [Werewolf Register]He does so while working for the [Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures].(FB)
1949 (Y-31) AD = 68 MM = 24 TR = 23 RH = 21
The 1950s
Events of this decade:
1950-60s - overviewAfter Tom Riddle disappeared, twenty years passed and life went on in relative peace and quiet. It is in this time that Molly and Arthur attend Hogwarts. We don't know the years for sure, but since Bill was born in 1971, we can make some general deductions. They probably were students during the 1960s. During these years a number of people were born who would play an important part in the story of Harry Potter, including Lucius Malfoy, Rita Skeeter, and Bertha Jorkins...and of course, his parents and their contemporaries.All this time, Tom Riddle was becoming the evil Dark Lord Voldemort, consorting with the worst of Wizardkind and learning secrets and dark magic that would change him forever from the handsome, talented boy of the 1940s into a twisted, horrible person who would be known as the most evil wizard of his age. One can only imagine that [Dumbledore] kept watch for all those years, waiting and wondering what happened to the boy he knew as Tom Riddle...
1951 (Y-29) AD = 70 MM = 26 TR = 25 RH = 23
Rita Skeeter is born"Attractive blonde Rita Skeeter, forty-three, whose savage quill has punctured many inflated reputations..."
This was written in November of 1994 [[Y14]], which would make Rita's birth year 1951 [[Y-29]] on the official time line ([CS/DVD]). Of course, Rita could very well have been lying about her age...
(GF18)
This was written in November of 1994 [[Y14]], which would make Rita's birth year 1951 [[Y-29]] on the official time line ([CS/DVD]). Of course, Rita could very well have been lying about her age...
(GF18)
1952 (Y-28) AD = 71 MM = 27 TR = 26 RH = 24
[Quidditch Through the Ages] is published by [WhizzHard Books]The book has undergone a number of revisions since that time, of course.(QA)
1953 (Y-27) AD = 72 MM = 28 TR = 27 RH = 25
One of the finest [Quidditch] games ever seenThe [Holyhead Harpies] defeat the [Heidelberg Harriers] in what is widely agreed to be one of the finest [Quidditch] games ever seen. The game lasted for seven days, at the end of which Harriers captain Rudolf Brand proposed marriage to the captain of the Harpies, [Gwendolyn Morgan]. She hit him with her [broom].(QA7)
1954 (Y-26) AD = 73 MM = 29 TR = 28 RH = 26
Lucius Malfoy is born"...said Mr Lucius Malfoy, 41, speaking from his Wiltshire mansion last night..."He was born 41 years before 1995 [[Y15]], which would be 1954 [[Y-26]].
(OP15)
1955 (Y-25) AD = 74 MM = 30 TR = 29 RH = 27
Narcissa Black is born (BFT)
c. 1956 (Y-24)
[Albus Dumbledore] becomes Headmaster of Hogwarts SchoolAccording to PA18, [Dumbledore] apparently became headmaster shortly before Lupin came to Hogwarts - which would be sometime around 1969. However, text from OP and HBP has since strongly suggested that he actually became headmaster in 1956 [[Y-24]].(PA18)
Bertha Jorkins is born"Listen, I knew Bertha Jorkins," said Sirius grimly. "She was at Hogwarts when I was, a few years above your dad and me."
(GF27)
(GF27)
1956 (Y-24) AD = 75 MM = 31 TR = 30 RH = 28
The [Caerphilly Catapaults] defeat the [Karasjok Kites] to win the [European Cup] (QA7)December
Minerva McGonagall begins teaching at Hogwarts"How long have you been teaching at Hogwarts?" Professor Umbridge asked.
"Thirty-nine years this December," said Professor McGonagall brusquely, snapping her bag shut."
She started teaching 39 years before the December of 1995 [[Y15]], so it was 1956 [[Y-24]] on the official timeline ([CS/DVD]).
(OP15)
Minerva McGonagall begins teaching at Hogwarts"How long have you been teaching at Hogwarts?" Professor Umbridge asked."Thirty-nine years this December," said Professor McGonagall brusquely, snapping her bag shut."
She started teaching 39 years before the December of 1995 [[Y15]], so it was 1956 [[Y-24]] on the official timeline ([CS/DVD]).
(OP15)
c. 1957 (Y-23)
Voldemort resurfaces and applies to teach Defence Against the Dark ArtsTen years after the death of [Hepzibah Smith], Voldemort returns to Hogwarts, where [Dumbledore] refuses to grant him a teaching job. He then curses the Defence Against the Dark Arts position, and since that day, no professor has stayed for more than one year in that post.Again we don't know exactly when this happened, but since most evidence points to [Dumbledore] becoming headmaster in 1956 [[Y-24]], Voldemort couldn't have come looking for a job much sooner than this.
(HBP20)
1957 (Y-23) AD = 76 MM = 32 TR = 31 RH = 29
[Sturgis Podmore] is born"[Sturgis Podmore], 38, of number two, Laburnum Gardens, Clapham..."
So he was born 38 years before 1995 [[Y15]]. This corresponds to 1957 [[Y-23]] on the official timeline. That means he's my age... ([SVA])
(OP14)
So he was born 38 years before 1995 [[Y15]]. This corresponds to 1957 [[Y-23]] on the official timeline. That means he's my age... ([SVA])
(OP14)
[Hamish MacFarlan] becomes captain of the [Montrose Magpies]He will hold that position until 1968.(QA7)
1958 (Y-22) AD = 77 MM = 33 TR = 32 RH = 30 M = 0
World-famous [Beaters] Kevin and Karl Broadmoor join the [Falmouth Falcons]The brothers are known for being particularly violent; they will stay with the team until 1969.(QA7)
c. 1959 (Y-21)
James Potter is bornJames could also have been born in 1957 or 1958 - see [Marauders' birth year explained]. 
Lily Evans is bornLily could also have been born in 1957 or 1958 - see [Marauders' birth year explained]. Sirius Black is bornSirius could also have been born in 1957 or 1958 - see [Marauders' birth year explained]. Peter Pettigrew is bornPettigrew could also have been born in 1957 or 1958 - see [Marauders' birth year explained].March 10
Remus Lupin is bornWe know March 10 from JKR.
For more on the year, see [Marauders' birth year explained].
Remus Lupin is bornWe know March 10 from JKR.For more on the year, see [Marauders' birth year explained].
1959 (Y-21) AD = 78 MM = 34 TR = 33 RH = 31 M = 1
Regulus Black diesThis is not Sirius Black's brother Regulus, but rather a great uncle to both of them.
(BFT)
(BFT)
