A good wand is very important for any young witch or wizard. The Ollivander family has been making wands since 382B.C.E. and were the first instances of dedicated wand making. They were the first wands that were not feared to fail or explode. Around 1000B.C.E. witches and wizards began to separate themselves from muggles, non magical people. For 400 years it was ruled by the Confederation of Warlocks. In the 1400's countries began to separate and form their own governments.
In the 1600's witches and wizards were persecuted by burnings. Thanks to a nifty little freezing charm they pretended to shriek in agony as they felt only a slight tickling sensation. This charm was cast on the flames not on the witch or wizard.
These problems led to the introduction of the International Statute of Secrecy in 1689. The law made the separation of the two worlds official. The wizards took revenge on the muggles and magic was being used to hurt and trick muggles. The governments took control and hid the magical world including the plants and animals of the magical world. It took three years to officially establish this with all the magical governments.
Over the years magic has become a legend for muggles only appearing in fairytales. Some muggles claim to have seen magic and when they witness too big a magical incident the Ministry has to send agents to sort things out.
Wizards under the age of seventeen are not permitted to do magic outside school as they still have the trace on them.