There have earlier been several attempts to establish or at least clarify the timeline of events prior to Harry's birth in this forum, so why yet another one?
The idea is simple. Now we have all evidence we can possibly get for a rather long time. Now it should be possible to build a timeline. The timeline will be built up entirely a) by our members and b) based on canon evidence. This means that every entry in the time has to be backed up by a quote. We'll do this the scientific way (this is the historian's forum after all!), i.e. an entry that is to be regarded as significant, has to fulfill several formal requirements detailed below. Please note that references to quotes from JKR are only to be used as backup or for clarification, the HP Lexicon, while undoubtedly helpful, may not be quoted.

If a posting about an event has been approved, we as moderators will transfer the entry into this post, thus eventually building up the timeline. The contributors will receive a reward, more on this will be disclosed later.

There will, of course, be disputed entries. We could either leave them as is - only mark them as disputed. Alternatively, we could discuss them in separate topics, aimed only at the clarification or resolution of said disputed events.

An entry, which is to be considered as valid, has to have the following parts:

• Event - try to think of a short, accurate description. This is the text, the timeline is eventually built up with.
• Timepoint - if possible give a date, at least year(s) or a timeframe relative to an event (e.g. two weeks after this and this happened), otherwise use "Undefined".
• Source - just name the person giving the information.
• Quote - quote as much text as necessary, but please also stay as short as possible. Avoid omissions, but if you do, please indicate this clearly by inserting periods or the like.
• Reference - please indicate the book, which edition you are referring to (UK or US? Hardcover or paperback?), and the page where the quote starts.

To give you an example:

Event: Snape starts spying on LV
Timepoint: Undefined
Person: Harry
Quote: Severus Snape wasn't yours,' said Harry calmly, 'Snape was Dumbledore's, Dumbledore's from the moment you started hunting down my mother.[/quote]
Ref.: DH, UK hardcover, p. 593

You may copy the following coded snippet and paste it into your reply.



Most of the pictures, which will be used as reward and illustration were found at Leaky Galleries, but also quite a number of unknown artists presenting their work on the internet have to be credited here.

Event: Ulysses (Homer's Odyssey) authors PARSELTONGUE UNLEASHED! (originally under the name Herpetuo Linguus), documenting his experiences learning to speak a "snake" language from African Runespoor.
Timepoint: Approximately 3,300 years ago.
Source: Newt Scamander
Quote: "The Runespoor originated in the small African country of Burkina Faso . . . It is to the writings of Parselmouths who have kept and conversed with these serpents that we owe our understanding of their curious habits."
Reference: Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them, p. 36-37.
--Ex Libres Cogito

***

Event: Herpo the Foul produces the first Basilisk; a gift for Alexander The Great.
Timepoint: Approximately 2,400 years ago.
Source: An engraving on the tomb of Salazar Slitherin
Quote: "The first recorded Basilisk was bred by Herpo the Foul, a Greek Dark wizard and Parselmouth."
Reference: Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them, p.3.
--Ex Libres Cogito

***

Event: Ollivanders begins making wands.
Timepoint: 382 BC
Person: (Narrator ?)
Quote: The last shop was narrow and shabby. Peeling gold letters over the door read Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC.
Ref.: PS/SS, Bloomsbury (cloth covered) Hardback, p63.[/color]
-- Acrux

***

Event: Hogwarts founded
Timepoint: c. 950-990 AD (see below)
Person: Prof. Binns
Quote: ... that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago - the precise date is uncertain - by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age.
Ref.:PS/SS, UK paperback, p. 164
-- innkeeper_tom

***

Event: Creaothceann, an early, violent game on brooms and using cauldrons is caught in verse in a tragic Gaelic poem.
Timepoint: 11th Century
Source: A. Filch
Quote: The game features in a tragic Gaelic poem . . . But ten of their number were fated to die
Reference: QTA, p. 5
--Ex Libres Cogito

***

Event: Ancient Germanic game Stichstock on brooms displayed in famous painting
Timepoint: 1105
Source: M. Flint
Quote: "Gunther the Violent is the Winner" (translated from original) dated 1105 shows the ancient German game of Stichstock.
Reference: QTA, p. 4
--Ex Libres Cogito

***

Event: Triwizard Tournament established.
Timepoint: late 13th century (or early 14th?)
Source: Albus Dumbledore
Quote: "The Triwizard Tournament was first established some seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. (...)"
Reference: GOF chapter 12, Scholastic paperback page 187.
--Oryx

***

Event: Nicolas Flamel was born.
Timepoint: no later than 1326 (but probably well before that).
Source: An enormous old book.
Quote: There have been many reports of the Sorcerer's Stone over the centuries, but the only Stone currently in existence belongs to Mr. Nicolas Flamel, the noted alchemist and pera lover. Mr. Flamel, who celebrated his six hundred and sixty-fifth birthday last year, enjoys a quiet life in Devon with his wife, Perenelle (six hundred and fifty-eight).
Reference: SS, chapter 13, Scholastic paperback page 220.
--Oryx

***

Event: Sir Nicholas De Mimsy-Porpington nearly beheaded.
Timepoint: 31st October, 1492
Source: tar-like icing on 'cake'
Quote: Sir Nicholas De Mimsy-Porpington
died 31st October, 1492
Reference: COS, Scholastic paperback, p133.
-- Oryx

***

Event: Goblin rebellion
Timepoint: 1612
Source: Hermione quoting "Sites of Historical Sorcery"
Quote: ... Hermione pressed in eagerly. 'In Sites of Historical Sorcery it says the inn was the headquarter for the 1612 goblin rebellion,...
Ref.: PoA, Bloomsbury paperback, p.87
--inkeeper_tom

***

Event: Werewolf Code of Conduct is written
Timepoint: 1637
Source: Hermione
Quote: That [The History of Magic exam] was far easier than I thought it would be," said Hermione as they joined the crowds flocking out onto the sunny grounds. “I needn't have learned about the 1637 Werewolf Code of Conduct [...]"
Reference: SS, Scholastic Hardback, p. 263
--Snufflespup

***

Event: The International Statute of Secrecy was signed.
Timepoint: 1689
Source: A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Quote: "Upon the signature of the International Statute of Secrecy in 1689, wizards went into hiding for good."
Reference: DH, chapter 16, page 318 Scholastic hardback.
--Oryx

***

Event: Summit of the International Confederation of Wizards (presumably to deal with some of the implications of the Statute of Secrecy?)
Timepoint: 1692
Source: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Quote: The International Confederation of Wizards argued the matter out at their famous summit meeting of 1692. No fewer than seven weeks of sometimes acrimonious discussion between wizards of all nationalities were devoted to the troublesome question of magical creatures.
Reference: FB page xv
--Oryx

***

Event: Dragon breeding banned.
Timepoint: 1709.
Source: Ron.
Quote: "Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convention of 1709, everyone knows that."
Reference: PS, chapter 14, page 230 Scholastic paperback.
--Oryx

***

Event: Dilys Derwent starts working at St. Mungo's
Timepoint: 1722
Source: Label at portrait
Quote: Dilys Derwent
St. Mungo's Healer 1722-1741
Ref.: OotP, Bloomsbury hardcover, p. 428
--innkeeper_tom

***

Event: Dilys Derwent appointed Headmistress of Hogwarts
Timepoint: 1741
Source: Label at portrait
Quote: Dilys Derwent [...]
Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry 1741-1768
Ref.: OotP, Bloomsbury hardcover, p. 428
--innkeeper_tom

***

Event: Statute of Secrecy was breached.
Timepoint: 1749
Source: Harry's OWLs
Quote: He had a stab at question five: How was the Statute of Secrey breached in 1749 and what measures were introduced to prevent a reccurence? but had a nagging suspicion that he had missed several important points.
Ref.: OoTP, Bloomsbury, hardcover, p.725
--Moose_Starr

***

Event: Clause 73 added to the International Code of Wizarding Secrecy. The clause deals with the responsibility of wizarding governments for the concealment, care and control of magical creatures within their jurisdiction.
Timepoint: 1750
Quote: In 1750, Clause 73 was inserted in the International Code of Wizarding Secrecy, to which wizard ministries worldwide conform today.
Reference: FB page xvi.
--Oryx

***

Event: The category 'being' defined by Minister Grogan Stump.
Timepoint: 1811
Quote: Not until 1811 were definitions found that most of the magical community found acceptable. Grogan Stump, the newly appointed Ministefr for Magic, decreed that a "being" was "any creature that had sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws."
Reference: FB page xii
--Oryx

***

Event: Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery enacted.
Timepoint: 1875
Source: Letter by Mafalda Hopkirk
Quote: As you know, underage wizards are not permitted to perform spells outside school, and further spellwork on your part may lead to expulsion from said school (Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875, Paragraph C).
Reference: COS chapter 2, page 21 Scholastic paperback.
--Oryx

***

Event: Caractacus Burke buys the Slytherin locket from Merope Riddle (nee Gaunt).
Timepoint: December 1926.
Source: Caractacus Burke (in Pensieve memory).
Quote: "Yes, we acquired it in curious circumstances. It was brought in by a young witch just before Christmas, oh, many years ago now. She said she needed the gold badly, well, that much was obvious. Covered in rags and pretty far along ... Going to have a baby, see."
Reference: HBP chapter 13, page 261 Scholastic paperback.
--Oryx

***

Event: Tom Marvolo Riddle born, Merope Riddle, nee Gaunt dies.
Timepoint: December 31st, 1926.
Source: Mrs Cole.
Quote: I remember it clear as anything because I'd just started here myself. New Year's Eve and bitter cold, snowing, you know. Nasty night. And this girl, not much older than I was myself at the time, came staggering up the front steps. Well, she wasn't the first. We took her in, and she had the baby within the hour. And she was dead in another hour.
Reference: HBP, chapter 13, Scholastic paperback page 266.
--Oryx

***

Event: Tom Marvolo Riddle frames Rubeus Hagrid for basilisk attacks including one that resulted in the death of Moaning Myrtle.
Timepoint: June 13th, 1943.
Quote: The pages of the diary began to blow as though caught in a high wind, stopping halfway through the month of June. Mouth hanging open, Harry saw that the little square for June thirteenth seemed to have turned into a miniscule television screen. His hands trembling slightly, he raised the book to press his eye against the little window, and before he knew what was happening, he was tilting forward; the window was widening, he felt his body leave his bed, and he was pitched headfirst through the opening in the page, into a whirl of color and shadow.
Reference: COS, Scholastic paperback chapter 13, page 242.
--Oryx

***

Event: Dumbledore defeats Grindelwald
Timepoint: 1945
Source: Chocolate frog card.
Quote: Considered by many the greatest wizard of modern times, Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon's blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel. Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling.
Reference: SS chapter 6, Scholastic paperback pages 102-103.
--Oryx

***

Event: Werewolf Register created by Newt Scamander.
Timepoint: 1947
Quote: Although almost solely responsible for the creation of the Werewolf Register in 1947, ...
Reference: FB, page vi.
--Oryx

***

Event: Minerva McGonagall starts teaching at Hogwarts.
Timepoint: December 1956.
Source: Prof McGonagall, while being interviewed by Umbridge.
Quote: "How long have you been teaching at Hogwarts?" Professor Umbridge asked.
"Thirty-nine years this December," said Professor McGonagall brusquely, snapping her bag shut.[/quote]
Reference: OOTP chapter 15, Scholastic paperback page 321.
--Oryx

***

Event: Lily Potter (nee Evans) born.
Timepoint: January 30th 1960.
Source: Headstone in Godric's Hollow cemetary.
Quote: LILY POTTER
BORN 30 JANUARY 1960
DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981
Reference: DH, chapter 16, Scholastic hardback page 328.
--Oryx

***

Event: James Potter born.
Timepoint: March 27th, 1960.
Source: Headstone in Godric's Hollow cemetary.
Quote: JAMES POTTER
BORN 27 MARCH 1960
DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981
Reference: DH, chapter 16, Scholastic hardback page 328.
--Oryx

***

Event: Ban on Experimental Breeding passed largely due to the efforts of Newt Scamander.
Timepoint: 1965
Source: MoM Records of Said Procedings
Quote: "He (Newt Scamander) says he is proudest of the Ban on Experimental Breeding, passed in 1965, which effectively prevented the creation of new and untameable monsters within Britain."
Reference: FB, p. vi.
--Ex Libres Cogito

***

Event: James Potter, Sirius Black, Lily Evans, Severus Snape (and their classmates) board the Hogwarts Express for their first year at Hogwarts.
Timepoint: September 1st, 1971.
Quote: "But we're going!" he said, unable to supress the exhiliration in his voice. "This is it! We're off to Hogwarts!"
She nodded, mopping her eyes, but in spite of herself, she half smiled.
"You'd better be in Slytherin," said Snape, encouraged that she had brightened a little.
"Slytherin?"
One of the boys sharing the compartment, who had shown no interest at all in Lily or Snape until that point, looked around at the word, and Harry, whose attention had been focused entirely on the two beside the window, saw his father: slight, black-haired like Snape, but with that identifiable air of having been well-cared for, even adored, that Snape so conspiciuously lacked.
"who wants to be in Slytherin? I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?" James asked the boy lounging on the seats opposite him, and with a jolt, Harry realized that it was Sirius. Sirius did not smile.
Reference: DH chapter 33, Scholastic hardback page 671.
--Oryx

***

Event: Severus Snape sits his OWLs
Timepoint: June 1976
Person: Harry in the Pensieve
Quote: His hand was flying across the parchment; he had written at least a foot more than his closest neighbors, and yet his writing was minuscule and cramped.
Ref.: OoTP, Scholastic hardcover, p. 641
--Moose_Starr

***

Event: James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew become full-fledged Animagi
Timepoint: late 1975 or first half of 1976
Person: Remus Lupin
Quote: Finally, in our fifth year, they managed it. They could each turn into a different animal at will.
Ref.: PoA, Bloomsbury paperback, p. 381
--innkeeper_tom

***

Event: Newt Scamander receives the Order of Merlin, Second Class
Timepoint: 1979
Source: Hogwarts Alumni Hall of Fame
Quote: "Newt Scamander was awarded the Order of Merlin, Second Class, in 1979 in recognition of his services to the study of magical beasts, Magizoology."
Reference: FB, p. vi.
--Ex Libres Cogito

***

Event: Prophecy made by Sibyl Trelawney
Timepoint: 1980
Source: Inscription on label (Room of Prophecies, MoM)
Quote: ... to read the yellowish label affixed to the shelf right beneath the dusty glass ball. In spidery writing was written a date of some sixteen years previously, and below that:
S.P.T. to A.P.W.B.D.
Dark Lord
and (?)Harry Potter
Ref.: OOTP, Bloomsbury hardcover, 687
--innkeeper_tom

***

Event: Severus Snape applies for the position as Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, but instead is given the job of Potions Master.

Timepoint: 1981

Source: Severus Snape

Quote: Snape Straightened up slowly and turned to look at her. "Now ... how long have you been teaching at Hogwarts?" she asked, her quill poised over her clipboard."Fourteen years," Snape relied, His expression unfathomable.

Reference: Order of the Phoenix, Childrens Edition, Pg. 323.***

Event: James and Lily Potter killed by Lord Voldemort at Godrics Hollow. Voldemort tries to kill Harry but the curse backfires and Harry survives. Voldemort retreats to Albania.
Timepoint: October 31 1981
Person: Hagrid
Quote: 'Maybe he thought he could persuade 'em ... maybe he just wanted 'em outta the way. All anyone knows is, he turned up in the village where you was all living, on Hallowe'en ten years ago. You was just a year old. He came ter yer house an' - an' -'
...'You-Know-Who killed em'. An' then this is the real myst'ry of the thing - he tried to kill you, too....Never wondered how you got that mark on yer forehead? That was no ordinary cut. Thats what yeh get when a powerful, evil curse touches yeh - took care of yer mum an' dad an' yer house even - but it didn't work on you, an' thats why yer famous, Harry. No one ever lived after he decided ter kill 'em, no one except you...
Ref: PS/SS UK Adult paperback, pp. 64-65
-- moony_lupin

***

Event : Sirius Black arrested
Timepoint : 1981
Person : Stan Shunpike
Quote: Anyway, they cornered Black in the middle of a street full of Muggles an' Black took out 'is wand and 'e blasted 'alf the street apart, an' a wizard got it, an' so did a dozen Muggles what got in the way.
Ref. : PoA, Scholastic, p. 39
-- Moose_Starr

***

Event: Death of Mrs.Logvegood
Timepoint:1990 (died when Luna was nine)
Source:Luna
Quote: "She was quite and extraordinary witch........ I was nine"
Ref. : OotP, Bloomsbury hardcover, pg. 760.
--Smartaps_2

***

Event: Sirius Black escapes from Azkaban
Timepoint: July 1993
Person: Narrator, Muggle Newsreader, Uncle Vernon
Quote: ...He helped himself to a piece of toast and then looked up at the newsreader on the television, who was halfway through a report on an escaped convict.
'... the public is warned that Black is armed and extremely dangerous. A special hotline has been set up, and any sighting of Black should be reported immediately.'
'No need to tell us he's no good,' snorted Uncle Vernon, staring over the top of his newspaper at the prisoner. 'Look at the state of him, the filthy layabout! Look at his hair!'
Ref.: PoA Bloomsbury Adult paperback, pp.23-24.
-- moony_lupin

***

Event: Tonks passes her Auror R.O.W.L.I.N.G.s (Really Outrageous Witching Licensing for Industrious Notable Geniuses) exams, thus paving the way for her to become an Auror.
Timepoint: 1994
Quote: "I got top marks in Concealment and Disguise during Auror training without any study at all, it was great."
Reference: HP OotP, Sholastic, HB, p. 52.
-- Ex Libres Cogito

***

Event: First publication of Obscurus Books (18a Diagon Alley, London) to be made available to Muggles.
Timepoint: 2001
Source: Albus Dumbledore
Quote: "For the first time in the history of the noble publishing house of Obscurus, one of its titles is to be made available to Muggles."
Reference: FB, p. vii.
--Ex Libres Cogito

Event : Sirius Black arrested
Timepoint : 1981
Person : Stan Shunpike

Ref. : PoA, Scholastic, p. 39

***

Thanks for being the first poster, Moose. Here's the promised reward:

Event: James and Lily Potter killed by Lord Voldemort at Godrics Hollow. Voldemort tries to kill Harry but the curse backfires and Harry survives. Voldemort retreats to Albania.
Timepoint: October 31 1981
Person: Hagrid



Ref: PS/SS UK Adult paperback, pp. 64-65

***

Event: Sir Nicholas De Mimsy-Porpington nearly beheaded.
Timepoint: 31st October, 1492
Source: tar-like icing on 'cake'

Source: COS, Scholastic paperback, p133.

***

Event: Ollivanders begins making wands.
Timepoint: 382 BC
Person: (Narrator ?)

QUOTE

The last shop was narrow and shabby. Peeling gold letters over the door read Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC.

Ref.: PS/SS, Bloomsbury (cloth covered) Hardback, p63.

***

Event: James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew become full-fledged Animagi
Timepoint: late 1975 or first half of 1976
Person: Remus Lupin

Ref.: PoA, Bloomsbury paperback, p. 381

Event: Sirius Black escapes from Azkaban
Timepoint: July 1993
Person: Narrator, Muggle Newsreader, Uncle Vernon



Ref.: PoA Bloomsbury Adult paperback, pp.23-24.

Event: Tom Marvolo Riddle frames Rubeus Hagrid for basilisk attacks including one that resulted in the death of Moaning Myrtle.

Timepoint: June 13th, 1943.

Quote:

Reference: COS, Scholastic paperback chapter 13, page 242.

The year is calculated as 50 years prior to the events of COS.
(At the time mentioned Riddle was 16 . - ibid, page 312. This establishes Riddle's year of birth as 1926-7)

Which leads to the following:

Event: Tom Marvolo Riddle born, Merope Riddle, nee Gaunt dies.

Timepoint: December 31st, 1926.

Source: Mrs Cole.

Quote:

Reference: HBP, chapter 13, Scholastic paperback page 266.



----------------
BTW, innkeeper_tom, now that we know James was born in March 1960, his 5th Hogwarts year was September 1975 to June 1976.

Right, Oryx! My mistake was to take a reference from my old quote snippets.

Has been corrected.

Event: Severus Snape sits his OWLs
Timepoint: June 1974
Person: Harry in the Pensieve

Ref.: OoTP, Scholastic hardcover, p. 641

I'd make it June 1976, since James was born in March 1960.

OWLS come before NEWTs though? If my math is correct which it possibly is not, Snape would have gone to Hogwarts at 11 years old which was 1970 I think (?) so that's year 1, year 2 is 1971, year 3 1972, year 4 1973 & year 5 when they have OWLs would be 1974. Thats how I figured it but, my math sucks lol

Indeed, Snape would have gone to Hogwarts at 11, but that was in 1971, since Snape was born in January 8, 1960..., whilst Lily was born 30/01/1960 and James 27/03/1960... So, in the beginning of their fifth year (OWL year) they should have been 15, thus their OWL school year would have been 1975/1976, thus taking their Owl exams at the end of that year, which is 1976!!

Moose_Starr, if Snape began Hogwarts in September 1970, I think that would make his OWLs during June 1975 (his 5th year being Sept 1974-June 1975). He would then begin his 6th year in September 1975.

ETA (@ 1:11pm): I see Ioli's post above now. If Snape was born Jan 1960, then he would've begun Hogwarts Sept 1971, as Ioli states, with OWLs being June 1976, and beginning his 6th year in Sept 1976.

Event: James Potter born.
Timepoint: March 27th, 1960.
Source: Headstone in Godric's Hollow cemetary.



OK, for the sake of the timeline:
Reference: DH, chapter 16, Scholastic hardback page 328.

Event: Lily Potter (nee Evans) born.
Timepoint: January 30th 1960.
Source: Headstone in Godric's Hollow cemetary.


Reference: DH, chapter 16, Scholastic hardback page 328.

-----------------

Event: James Potter, Sirius Black, Lily Evans, Severus Snape (and their classmates) board the Hogwarts Express for their first year at Hogwarts.
Timepoint: September 1st, 1971.

Quote:


Reference: DH chapter 33, Scholastic hardback page 671.


Sorry, Oryx, I could not find appropriate pics for all your entries. Hopefully this will do.

Event: Werewolf Code of Conduct is written
Timepoint: 1637
Source: Hermione


Reference: SS, Scholastic Hardback, p. 263

Hi guys!

As you may have noticed, I had to delete the quotes from the timeline. I wasn't aware of the fact that only a limited number of quote blocks was allowed in one post. For the sake of the timeline I decided to delete the quotes. On the friendlier side: the timeline gained a lot of clarity as the various events are easily recognizable now.

Sorry, I really did not expect this. I wanted it just as we started it. *gah*

innkeeper_tom, I completely understand why you'd want the quote immediately and proximally available, for scientifically-rigorous timeline (or a completely-canon-faithful timeline).

Could you not keep the quotes with the entries by adding a Quote: designation, as for Event:, etc.? Would that be too cumbersome? Or perhaps a link to an image of the quote (someone more technically savvy than myself would have to demonstrate how to do it, but it might work)?

Event: Dumbledore defeats Grindelwald
Timepoint: 1945
Source: Chocolate frog card.



Reference: SS chapter 6, Scholastic paperback pages 102-103.



tom, on the main timeline you still need to correct the date of Snape's OWLs to 1976.

Good thinking! Should have thought of this myself. Maybe it was too late yesterday evening...

Unfortunately (that's what I had in mind originally) cross-referencing to a specific post would only be possible backwarts, i.e. from the timeline event back into the original post. But then there's no other way to return to the timeline than the "Back" button of your browser. Not what I'd like to have.

I'll put the quotes back in, as you proposed it, StepInTime.

Thanks for the hint, Oryx.

Event: Minerva McGonagall starts teaching at Hogwarts.
Timepoint: December 1956.
Source: Prof McGonagall, while being interviewed by Umbridge.
Quote:

Reference: OOTP chapter 15, Scholastic paperback page 321.

Event: Prophecy made by Sibyl Trelawney
Timepoint: 1980
Source: Inscription on label (Room of Prophecies, MoM)
Quote: ... to read the yellowish label affixed to the shelf right beneath the dusty glass ball. In spidery writing was written a date of some sixteen years previously, and below that:
S.P.T. to A.P.W.B.D.
Dark Lord
and (?)Harry Potter
Ref.: OOTP, Bloomsbury hardcover, 687

Hey, every brilliant thinker has an off-moment! That's the beauty of collaboration.

I looked over the timeline with the new quoting style -- I think it's fine. There still may be a better solution, maybe one that adds more of the clarity you mentioned, but for now I think it works well!

Happy hunting!

Event: Triwizard Tournament established.
Timepoint: late 13th century (or early 14th?)
Source: Albus Dumbledore
Quote: "The Triwizard Tournament was first established some seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. (...)"
Reference: GOF chapter 12, Scholastic paperback page 187.

--------------

Event: Nicolas Flamel was born.
Timepoint: no later than 1326 (but probably well before that).
Source: An enormous old book.
Quote:
Reference: SS, chapter 13, Scholastic paperback page 220.
------------

Event: Dilys Derwent starts working at St. Mungo's
Timepoint: 1722
Source: Label at portrait
Quote: Dilys Derwent
St. Mungo's Healer 1722-1741
Ref.: OotP, Bloomsbury hardcover, p. 428

***

Event: Dilys Derwent appointed Headmistress of Hogwarts
Timepoint: 1741
Source: Label at portrait
Quote: Dilys Derwent [...]
Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry 1741-1768
Ref.: OotP, Bloomsbury hardcover, p. 428

Event: Death of Mrs.Logvegood
Timepoint:1990 (died when Luna was nine)
Source:Luna
Quote: "She was quite and extraordinary witch........ I was nine"
Ref. : OotP, Bloomsbury hardcover, pg. 760.

Event: Goblin rebellion
Timepoint: 1612
Source: Hermione quoting "Sites of Historical Sorcery"
Quote: ... Hermione pressed in eagerly. 'In Sites of Historical Sorcery it says the inn was the headquarter for the 1612 goblin rebellion,...
Ref.: PoA, Bloomsbury paperback, p.87

Event: Statute of Secrecy was breached.
Timepoint: 1749
Source: Harry's OWLs
Quote:
Ref.: OoTP, Bloomsbury, hardcover, p.725

Ok, I've got 2 ( but the second one is from Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them ):

Event: A quill replaces crystal ball in announcing and recording the birth of a child with magical abilities.
Timepoint: Three months after Professor Minerva McGonagall assumes post at Hogwarts, and presents said quill to the head of the school with explanation that she is gifted with an ability to read the quill's discerning capacity to record the birth of a "magical child."
Source #1: Dumbledore's Pensieve, Professor Snape's memories
Quote: " . . . you're a witch . . . My mum's one, and I'm a wizard . . . (to Petunia): you're a Muggle . . . It's real for us," said Snape. "Not for her. But we'll get the letter, you and me."
Reference: HP DH (US) hard cover p. 664-666
Source #2: Accio Quote!
Quote: "The Ministry of Magic doesn't find out which children are magic. In Hogwarts there's a magical quill which detects the birth of a magical child, and writes his or her name down in a large parchment book. Every year Professor McGonagall checks the book, and sends owls to the people who are turning 11."
Reference: Online chat transcript, Scholastic.com, 3 February 2000


(Credit for this entry should be shared with wordsaremagic, figgy pudding, moony_lupin, blue4t, and all of the others who have worked so hard on the thread: Parseltongue Unleashed!)

Event: Legendary Ulysses learns to communicate with serpents in Africa. He is later branded a "Parselmouth", speaking what later became known as "Parseltongue." The documents describing his experiences with the African Runespoor were later used by Greek Dark wizard, Herpo the Foul, to produce the first Basilisk. One and a half thousand years later, Salazar Slitherin introduced Parseltongue to his students so as to be able to command serpents, and thus lay the groundwork for a secret plot of horrific proportions.
Timepoint: Ulysses - circa 3,000+ years ago; Herpo - circa 2,400 years ago; Salazar - circa 1,000 years ago.
Source: Ancient memory of Salazar Slitherin
Quote: "The Runespoor originated in the small African country of Burkina Faso . . . It is to the writings of Parselmouths who have kept and conversed with these serpents that we owe our understanding of their curious habits." "The first recorded Basilisk was bred by Herpo the Foul, a Greek Dark wizard and Parselmouth . . ."
References: Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them, (Harry Potter's used, marked up, red, hard-cover copy), p. 36-37, & 3.



Moderator comment: Your first entry does not relate to canon sources, therefore, although being interesting it will not be added to the timeline. In contrast, the second entry might qualify for being added to the timeline. Problem here, however, is the lack of formatting. The reason for posting strict formatting rules here was to avoid editing. Please reenter your post properly formatted and with a compact wording and it will be added to the timeline. (And I'll find another basilisk for you... )
innkeeper_tom

What canon evidence do you have that the Quill was not in commission before McGonagall? The interview info mentions her because she was the one reading the quill's output during the time the books took place. And where do you get the crystal ball from?

Excelent point. The canon is based on strong inference that the book is only read by McGonagall. Your statement that she "checks the book" refers to "the time the books took place" does not contradict my inference. In fact, as we know that she has been at the school decades before Book 1 of the series begins, we can assume that she has been "checking the book" much longer than the duration of the series.

Since the quote "could" have been non-specific regarding the responsible party for checking the book; and since it can perhaps be assumed that McGonagall has been checking it for "quite a long time," the mentioning of "her" name seems to perhaps "imply" that she is the only person who can check the book. Her original ownership of the quill would make this the case.

The presumption of a crystal ball, as it is only a presumption, is derived from an analysis of the process of detecting magical children when they are born. There are many devices in canon which may serve this purpose. For example, star-gazing or "astrology" is a significant subject taught at Hogwarts. Yet through astrology, the birth of a magical child would be known immediately by many people capable of reading the stars. Prophesy, too, has the capacity to alert those who need to know when such a child is born. Yet who is so capable at Hogwarts to acquire a prophesy, and to understand the nature of it, on a reliable basis? So for whatever reason, the device chosen was a crystal ball.

Yet, the crystal ball - like all other forms of "divination" are imprecise. HP PoA (US) soft-cover, p. 109: Professor McGonagall: "Divination is one of the most imprecise branches of magic. I shall not conceal from you that I have very little patience with it." How McGonagall came upon the quill and the skill to use/understand it I do not know.

Of course! Why didn't I think of this before? The reason that McGonagall was so much in favor of the quill over any form of divination must have something to do with the fact of her being a Gryffindor! Why leave this task to the properties of chance? The quill must have been directly related to Godrick's sword! (The quill is mightier than the sword.) I haven't seen the quill ( and I don't guess McGonagall's going to let me examine it ). But just like the Sorting Hat, I believe the quill belonged to one of the Founders - my guess, GG. So why wasn't it used all along? Because it was never intended to be used for this purpose! It was McGonagall who chose its employment. Oh how she hates anything that has anything to do with divination!

Since this is a thread started by the mods I think it is for them to clarify what goes and what doesn't, but my impression was that the intent was to be as close as possible to things stated explicitly in canon, and to keep the line of inference and speculation as short as possible. That was why I have not proposed as documentable events the murder of the elder Riddles by Tom Jr, because canon isn't 100% clear (evidence supports 3 different years, depending on how people read different clues) or the year Dumbledore became Headmaster (which could be 1956 based on one reading or sometime in the mid-late 1960s according to another, or anywhere in between). I am also not sure if for the purpose of this thread interviews are considered canon.

I'll add the following:
Event: The International Statute of Secrecy was signed.
Timepoint: 1689
Source: A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Quote: "Upon the signature of the International Statute of Secrecy in 1689, wizards went into hiding for good."
Reference: DH, chapter 16, page 318 Scholastic hardback.

Event: Summit of the International Confederation of Wizards (presumably to deal with some of the implications of the Statute of Secrecy?)
Timepoint: 1692
Source: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Quote: The International Confederation of Wizards argued the matter out at their famous summit meeting of 1692. No fewer than seven weeks of sometimes acrimonious discussion between wizards of all nationalities were devoted to the troublesome question of magical creatures.
Reference: FB page xv

Some (hopefully) clarifying remarks:

The idea of this thread was to create "a canon-based timeline". Now what is canon? In our (moderator) discussions we decided that only the books were to be fully regarded as canon. "Quidditch through the ages" and "Fantastic beasts" are likewise acceptable. Even though authentic material, quotes from JKR (e.g. accessible via "Accio Quote") are not considered canon for the purpose of this thread, nor is any other secondary literature (e.g. HPLexicon). The idea was to extract the tiny bits from of information the books that add up to a - more or less - complete background to the main story. By the same token this thread was not meant for discussion. If you feel something entered here deserves a more detailed analysis, please feel free to open a new topic on this subject.

Event: Ulysses (Homer's Odyssey) authors PARSELTONGUE UNLEASHED! (originally under the name Herpetuo Linguus), documenting his experiences learning to speak a "snake" language from African Runespoor.

Timepoint: Approximately 3,300 years ago.

Source: Newt Scamander

Quote: "The Runespoor originated in the small African country of Burkina Faso . . . It is to the writings of Parselmouths who have kept and conversed with these serpents that we owe our understanding of their curious habits."

Reference: Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them, p. 36-37.

*****

Event: Herpo the Foul produces the first Basilisk; a gift for Alexander The Great.

Timepoint: Approximately 2,400 years ago.

Source: An engraving on the tomb of Salazar Slitherin

Quote: "The first recorded Basilisk was bred by Herpo the Foul, a Greek Dark wizard and Parselmouth."

Reference: Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them , p.3.

(Mr. Innkeeper sir, would you happen to have one of those huge Brazillian Boas w/3 heads for the last one, or even another of those nice shiny daggers? . Thankssss.)

No 3-headed boas, sorry. But - as promised - a basilisk.

Event: Caractacus Burke buys the Slytherin locket from Merope Riddle (nee Gaunt).
Timepoint: December 1926.
Source: Caractacus Burke (in Pensieve memory).
Quote: "Yes, we acquired it in curious circumstances. It was brought in by a young witch just before Christmas, oh, many years ago now. She said she needed the gold badly, well, that much was obvious. Covered in rags and pretty far along ... Going to have a baby, see."
Reference: HBP chapter 13, page 261 Scholastic paperback.

Event: Ban on Experimental Breeding passed largely due to the efforts of Newt Scamander.

Timepoint: 1965

Source: MoM Records of Said Procedings

Quote: "He (Newt Scamander) says he is proudest of the Ban on Experimental Breeding, passed in 1965, which effectively prevented the creation of new and untameable monsters within Britain."

Reference: Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them , p. vi.

*****

Event: Newt Scamander receives the Order of Merlin, Second Class

Timepoint: 1979

Source: Hogwarts Alumni Hall of Fame

Quote: "Newt Scamander was awarded the Order of Merlin, Second Class, in 1979 in recognition of his services to the study of magical beasts, Magizoology."

Reference: Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them , p. vi.

*****

Event: First publication of Obscurus Books (18a Diagon Alley, London) to be made available to Muggles.

Timepoint: 2001

Source: Albus Dumbledore

Quote: "For the first time in the history of the noble publishing house of Obscurus, one of its titles is to be made available to Muggles."

Reference: Foreword, Fanstastic Beasts & Where To Find Them , p. vii.

*****

Event: The Wizarding World initiates efforts to support Muggle charitable organization, Comic Relief, U.K.

Timepoint: 2001

Source: Albus Dumbledore

Quote: "It is now the wizarding world's privelege to help Comic Relief in their endeavour."

Reference: Forward, Fanstastic Beasts & Where To Find Them, p. viii.

Great Idea! Here is my two knuts..

Oops! Sorry realised the building of the Leaky Cauldron, wans't canon.

How about...

Event: Severus Snape applies for the position as Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, but instead is given the job of Potions Master.

Timepoint: 1981

Source: Severus Snape

Quote:

QUOTE

Snape Straightened up slowly and turned to look at her. "Now ... how long have you been teaching at Hogwarts?" she asked, her quill poised over her clipboard."Fourteen years," Snape relied, His expression unfathomable.

Reference: Order of the Phoenix, Childrens Edition, Pg. 323.

Event: The category 'being' defined by Minister Grogan Stump.
Timepoint: 1811
Quote: Not until 1811 were definitions found that most of the msgical community found acceptable. Grogan Stump, the newly appointed Ministefr for Magic, decreed that a "being" was "any creature that had sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws."
Reference: FB page xii

--------------

Event: Clause 73 added to the International Code of Wizarding Secrecy. The clause deals with the responsibility of wizarding governments for the concealment, care and control of magical creatures within their jurisdiction.
Timepoint: 1750
Quote: In 1750, Clause 73 was inserted in the International Code of Wizarding Secrecy, to which wizard ministries worldwide conform today.
Reference: FB page xvi.

--------------

Event: Werewolf Register created by Newt Scamander.
Timepoint: 1947
Quote: Although almost solely responsible for the creation of the Werewolf Register in 1947, ...
Reference: FB, page vi.
-----------

Edited to add:

Event: Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery enacted.
Timepoint: 1875
Source: Letter by Mafalda Hopkirk
Quote: As you know, underage wizards are not permitted to perform spells outside school, and further spellwork on your part may lead to expulsion from said school (Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875, Paragraph C).
Reference: COS chapter 2, page 21 Scholastic paperback.
---------------

Event: Dragon breeding banned.
Timepoint: 1709.
Source: Ron.
Quote: "Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convention of 1709, everyone knows that."
Source: PS, chapter 14, page 230 Scholastic paperback.




Moderator's comment: I was almost afraid that I couldn't find an appropriate pic. So your additions came in pretty helpful.

Event: Tonks passes her Auror R.O.W.L.I.N.G.s (Really Outrageous Witching Licensing for Industrious Notable Geniuses) exams, thus paving the way for her to become an Auror.
Timepoint: 1994
Quote: "I got top marks in Concealment and Disguise during Auror training without any study at all, it was great."
Reference: HP OotP, Sholastic, HB, p. 52.

* R.O.W.L.I.N.G. exams may be the classification of professional specialty qualifying examinations; perhaps comparable to the muggle "Ph.D."