J.K. Rowling made a mistake in her latest Pottermore story and the internet is SO confused about it
Okay, listen, we all make mistakes. No human is immune to mistakes, and they are a fact of life. Whether it be a big mistake, or a little mistake, whatever mistake you’ve made, it’s going to be okay. Just take a deep breath and move on, and hope the internet doesn’t remember it forever.
One of the latest blunders out there on the internet comes to us from J.K. Rowling. Yes, that J.K. Rowling, the wizard herself who conjured up the magical world of Harry Potter. Though those books might be done, Rowling is still releasing stories about the Wizarding World over on Pottermore, and on Thursday, she released her latest one about the The Magical Congress of the United States of America, or MACUSA.
Because who doesn't want to learn about wizard government??
The new story explains why and how wizards govern themselves here in the U.S. of A, from Revolutionary War times (wizards opted NOT to fight) to the early 1920s (when Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will pick up). Rowling’s lil’ mistake is hidden in here, and it’s so little you probably didn’t even catch it, since it is based on truth.
However, according to this wizard history, a bunch of wizards moved to Washington D.C...before Washington D.C. existed.
Though no exact date is ever given to when these wizards actually moved, Rowling has them living in Washington by 1777. Only problem is that Washington D.C. wasn't founded until 1790.
The wizards could have certainly lived in the area before D.C. was founded, but hooooow were they already calling it “Washington?” Unless they were all seers, and were super gifted with clairvoyance, and just knew that George Washington would be the first President of the United States.
Twitter was quick to let Rowling know there was a mistake:
I'm worried bc MACUSA moved to Washington before it existed
— Tyler Armey (@TylerArmey) October 6, 2016
Wait, #MACUSA formed before the USA did and then moved to Washington before Washington was a real city? #Pottermore #confused
— Dr. Anna 🦇 (@bittina_) October 6, 2016
Fascinating, but one tiny flaw: MACUSA moving to Washington, DC, in 1777 is unlikely at it was founded in 1790. Even with divination . . . . https://t.co/uBJVQiXSjU
— Diana Patterson (nominative/accusative) (@MrsShandy) October 7, 2016
.@jk_rowling Washington DC didn't exist before 1790. How did the 1777 MACUSA 'Country or Kind' meeting happen in non-existent No-Maj city?
— Chris of NC 🇺🇸 (@HalloCS) 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
false
And shoutout to this Twitter user, who raises another good point: HOW is it called MACUSA if it was created in 1693, over 100 years BEFORE the United States became the United States?
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
As of right now, no correction has been made on Pottermore, and there probably won’t be a correction, because the internet is written in ink, not pencil. But hey, it’s okay. We all make mistakes, Rowling, too. And besides, who among us hasn’t completely dozed off during an American History class before, huh?