J.K. Rowling released the final entry in The History of Magic In North America web series, which focuses on the 1920s, right around the time of Newt Scamander’s arrival in New York City in Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them!
Read it now!
Now let’s recap what we learned!
1) Witches and wizards fought on both sides of World War I
Even though American wizards didn’t associate with No-Maj much due to Rappaport’s Law, they still fought in World War I aka The Great War. Of course, wizards from the many countries involved fought on both sides of the war and while they lessened the overall loss of life, they neutralized each other and didn’t truly affect the outcome of the war.
2) A ‘Dorcus’ is American magical slang for an idiot.
Remember Dorcus Twelvetrees, the vain young witch who exposed the wizarding world to an anti-magic No-Maj and cause Rappaport’s Law to be put into effect? History did! In fact, being called “a Dorcus” became a major insult for the dim-witted in America. Whoops!
3) American wizards were more intolerant of other magical creatures because they threatened their beloved secrecy.
American wizards were desperate to keep all suggestions or traces of magic secret, so the activities of magical creatures– who often alerted the No-Maj community to the existence of “paranormal” magical forces– were a huge burden in the Americas, much more than in the rest of the world.
4) If Newt Scamander meets the MACUSA President, it’ll be Seraphina Picquery.
Described as “a famously gifted witch from Savannah,” Madam Seraphina Picquery was a beloved MACUSA President who served through the entirety of the 1920s. So when Newt Scamander stands in front of the American wizarding government followed his magical creatures getting unleashed, he’ll probably in court with Madam Picquery!
5) There’s healthy wandmaking competition in America and they use much different magical cores.
If you want a wand in the UK, go to Ollivander’s. There’s just no place better! But in America, there are four wandmakers who compete at fairly equal levels for the love of the community. There are plenty of options!
Additionally, each wandmaker uses elements from magical creatures specifically found in North America, which means you couldn’t get these wands at Ollivander’s. The cores include Thunderbird tail fathers, Wampus cat hair, White River Monster spines, and rougarou hair.
6) The magical community didn’t suffer through prohibition.
While the No-Maj were either refusing alcohol or boot-legging, the witches and wizards of America drank straight through the 1920s. With the stress of their secrecy weighing heavy, the community agreed that a little booze couldn’t hurt!
