Harry Potter anniversary: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint were announced 15 years ago

Friday’s daily nostalgia check might induce the biggest reality check about one’s age and mortality: The Harry Potter cast was first introduced to the world 15 years ago. Yikes.

Awwww, look how tiny they used to be! J.K. Rowling noted their childhood cuteness.

The search consumed news cycles and prompted jealousy from kids all over the world, causing some Americans to start work on their English accents with hopes of being one of the core three stars. (Proof: I did this.)

It’s hard to imagine anyone else bringing these characters to life besides the chosen trio: Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Rupert Grint (Ron), and Emma Watson (Hermoine). They’re now grownup, bona-fide adults. See?

Watson, the only one of the triumvirate with a Twitter account, reflected on the day that literally changed her life.

If you need another dose of nostalgia (or reminder of your mortality), the No. 1 movie and song that weekend in 2000 were The Cell (starring Jennifer Lopez and Vince Vaughn) and “Doesn’t Really Matter” by Janet Jackson, respectively. Jackson’s song was featured on the soundtrack for Nutty Professor II: The Klumps. The year 2000, everybody!

•J.K. Rowling weighs in on that theory about the Three Brothers

•Chris Columbus wants to direct another Harry Potter movie

•Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play headed to London stage [UPDATE]

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