When I say the name "Harry Potter," I'm sure many of you feel confident that you already have a vast knowledge of the life of The Boy Who Lived. Harry Potter is one of the most famous wizards in history, rivaling names like Dumbledore and Voldemort. Why was he so important? Why does his name deserve a marked place in our history textbooks? And who even was The Boy Who Lived?

Harry James Potter was a half-blood wizard born on July 31, 1980, in the Wizarding Village of Godric's Hollow to James and Lily Potter. His birth took place in the midst of the First Wizarding War, and to take matters further, Harry's infancy was darkened by a prophecy foreseen by Seer Sybill Trelawney; it marked him as one of the two children with the potential to vanquish the Dark Lord (Voldemort). As a result of the prophecy, Voldemort attacked the Potters and killed Harry's parents on the night of October 31, 1981. When he attempted to kill Harry, however, the Killing Curse rebounded and destroyed Voldemort's physical body. Henceforth, Harry Potter became known as "The Boy Who Lived."

Image of the Potter Family, Circa 1981

After the death of his parents, Harry was sent to live with his Muggle relatives, the Dursley Family. Though the family was cruel and even abusive at times, Albus Dumbledore insisted that Harry remain in their care. He later explained to Harry that it was because of the protection of the Bond of Blood Charm: "While you can still call home the place where your mother's blood dwells, there you cannot be touched or harmed by Voldemort. He shed her blood, but it lives on in you and her sister. Her blood became your refuge."

Image of Harry Potter, Circa 1991

Harry began his studies at Hogwarts in 1991, where he quickly befriended Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger after all three were sorted into Gryffindor. The three of them were dubbed as "The Golden Trio." Harry joined the Gryffindor Quidditch Team in his first year, becoming the youngest Seeker in a century, and ultimately went on to become Quidditch Captain in his sixth year. Other notable accomplishments include Harry's (involuntary) participation in the Triwizard Tournament in his fourth year, which he won, as well as his founding and leadership of Dumbledore's Army in his fifth year. Harry was also a part of the Slug Club in his sixth year.

Despite his achievements, Harry's time at Hogwarts was not always positive -- let alone safe. Each year of his schooling saw the rise of a new dark obstacle; most of the time, it was Voldemort. In 1991-92, Voldemort possessed the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, Quirinius Quirrel, to attempt to steal the Sorcerer's Stone and kill Potter. In 1992-93, the spirit of Tom Riddle possessed Ginny Weasley, compelling her to open the Chamber of Secrets. In 1993-94, Potter's Godfather, Sirius Black, escaped from Azkaban and attempted to reconnect with him -- while the media largely assumed Black wanted to kill Potter. In 1994-95, Potter was forced into the Triwizard Tournament by the Death Eater Barty Crouch Jr., under the disguise of Alastor Moody. The Tournament led to the death of Cedric Diggory and the rise of Lord Voldemort, all witnessed in person by Potter. In 1995-96, Potter faced Voldemort once again in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. In 1996-97, Hogwarts was infiltrated by Death Eaters.