What Happened On November 16th?
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001)
Today is labeled as the first day of the “Harry Potter” series with the release of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” on November 16th, 2001. Based on J.K. Rowling’s beloved book, the film introduced audiences to the magical world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the young wizard Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe).
With its enchanting storytelling, enchanting characters, and breathtaking visual effects, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” captured the hearts of both children and adults alike. The film’s success paved the way for a record-breaking franchise, consisting of eight films and a devoted fan base that continues to grow to this day.
First Edition of “Gulliver’s Travels” Published (1726)
Fan favorite, Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels” was first published on November 16, 1726 and remains to be a timeless classic that satirizes human nature and society. Written in the form of four fictional voyages, the novel takes protagonist Lemuel Gulliver to imaginative lands inhabited by fantastical beings.
Swift used Gulliver’s encounters to critique politics, science, and the foibles of human behavior. Over the centuries, “Gulliver’s Travels” has become a cornerstone of English literature, appreciated for its wit, creativity, and keen observations on the human condition.
Remembering DJ Screw (2000)
On the fateful day of November 16, 2000, the Houston music scene awoke to an unexpected void, a palpable absence that sent shockwaves through the city’s vibrant cultural landscape. DJ Screw, the maestro of the distinctive “chopped and screwed” style, had departed this world, leaving behind a legacy that would forever echo through the beats of Houston’s heart.
As the sun cast its warm glow over the city that morning, unaware of the impending loss, the streets of Houston buzzed with the daily rhythm of life. Little did the people know that the rhythm of their beloved music scene was about to be disrupted.
As each November 16th rolled around, the city of Houston echoed with a mix of nostalgia, celebration, and a tinge of sorrow. DJ Screw’s legacy lived on, not just in the sounds that emanated from car speakers or in the graffiti art adorning city walls but in the very soul of a city that would forever remember the day it lost a musical pioneer.
