It’s no secret that humans are not perfect creatures. Despite this knowledge, it was hard to imagine that Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who was famously deliberate and careful when writing her beloved series, could ever make a mistake in her writing. However, even the queen of wizards has her slip-ups, just like us mere muggles.
Despite the Harry Potter series being over, Rowling continues to publish new stories about the Wizarding World on the Pottermore website. In her most recent story, she introduces fans to The Magical Congress of the United States of America, aka MACUSA.
The story, which takes place in the U.S., covers the process of how and why American wizards decided to govern themselves throughout U.S. history.
Unfortunately, it seems that Rowling may have made an error in her timeline, writing that her characters moved to Washington, D.C. in 1777, although Washington, D.C. didn’t exist until 1790.
Of course, Twitter didn’t remain silent about the issue and made sure to point out the mistake to Rowling herself, including the fact that MACUSA was named and created 100 years before the founding of the United States.
Wait, #MACUSA formed before the USA did and then moved to Washington before Washington was a real city? #Pottermore#confused
— Anna (@bittina_) October 6, 2016
@jk_rowling How was MACUSA in Washington by 1777, but Wash. DC wasn't founded until 1790 and named until 1791? Is it the state? @pottermore
— Alex Ogle (@randlev) October 6, 2016
And I still don't get why it was called #MACUSA prior to the actual founding of USA. Unless all those American wizards were seers.
— Devra (@devrajasmine) October 6, 2016
Despite these errors, Rowling remains one of our generation's most beloved and respected authors, so it’s safe to say these mistakes won’t stop anyone from getting their much-needed dose of the Wizarding World.
