Bloomsbury publishes *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone* in the UK, launching the Harry Potter franchise.
On June 26, 1997, Bloomsbury published Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in the UK. This debut novel by J.K. Rowling introduced the world to Harry Potter, an orphaned boy who discovers he is a wizard, setting off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The book's unique charm and imaginative storytelling attracted critical acclaim and commercial success, spurring a multibillion-dollar franchise that includes books, films, and adaptations, transforming Rowling into a literary icon.