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History of Afghanistan
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Amir and Hassan's birth
As stated by Amir, "Since 1964, just after she had given birth to Hassan" (Hosseini 210). This is the birth of the protagonist and his best friend in "The Kite Runner". Hassan was born to Sanaubar, who left a sore spot on Hassan by leaving his life within a week of his birth -
Khan, leader of the PDPA regime, overthrows the military dictator Zia and assumes power
Khan overthrows the last king, Mohammed Zahir Shah, in a military coup. Khan’s regime, the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, comes to power. Khan abolishes the monarchy and names himself president. The Republic of Afghanistan is established with firm ties to the USSR. (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/) -
USSR supports Afghanistan
1973 - Mohammed Daud ... Tries to play off USSR against Western powers. (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253) -
Hassan gets his hairlip fixed
When Hassan received his birthday present, Amir thought, "It wasn't fair. Hassan hadn't done anything to earn Baba's affections; he'd just been born with that stupid hair lip" (Hosseini 46). Amir's jealousy here showcases one of his internal struggles to gain Baba's affection. This struggle influences Amir in his future decisions to allow Hassan get raped and to frame Hassan. -
Hassan gets raped
As Hassan gets raped, Amir thought "In the end, I ran. I ran because I was a coward... I turned my back to Hassan" (Hosseini 77). Amir watched his best friend get raped, and this caused the internal struggle inside Amir for the rest of the book. The guileless devotion Hassan shows even though Amir abandons him cuases Amir to feel self shame and low self value all his life. -
A major figure in the PDPA was killed by the government
in 1978 a prominent member of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), Mir Akbar Khyber (or "Kaibar"), was killed by the government. (Wikipedia) -
PDPA is taken over and Khan is slain
Khan is killed in a communist coup. Nur Mohammad Taraki, one of the founding members of the Afghan Communist Party, takes control of the country as president, and Babrak Karmal is named deputy prime minister. They proclaim independence from Soviet influence, and declare their policies to be based on Islamic principles, Afghan nationalism and socioeconomic justice. Taraki signs a friendship treaty with the Soviet Union. (PBS) -
US cuts ties with Afghanistan
American Ambassador Adolph Dubs is killed. The United States cuts off assistance to Afghanistan...The USSR invades Afghanistan on Dec. 24 to bolster the faltering communist regime. (PBS) -
Ali and Hassan leave Baba and Amir
As Ali and Baba talk, Amir, "I saw Baba do something I had never seen him do before: He cried... 'Please,' but Ali had already turned" (Hosseini 107). This is a turning point in Amir's life, as he realizes the severity of what he has done. His father will never learn it, but Amir caused his father and Ali all this pain and forced Ali and Hassan to move. Which, led to Amir and Baba's journey to America, because Amir was suffering and Baba couldn't stand to live without Hassan and Ali. -
Amir and Baba move to America
As Amir recalls leaving Afghanistan, he said, "Fremont, California. 1980s" (Hosseini 125). This marks a new chapter in Baba and Amir's life, one where their relationship will begin to change and Amir will begin life as an adult. America provides Amir escape from his suffering life in Afghanistan, and allows him to find happiness in ways such as meeting Soraya. -
Amir graduates High School
Recalling the fond memory, Amir said, "That Summer of 1983, I graduated from high school' (Hosseini 131). Amir finishing his education allowed him to pursue his passion and turn it into a living. High school had allowed Amir to adapt to America, and come to think of it kindly, a place where he would live in happiness the rest of his life. -
Amir meets Soraya
As Amir lied in bed, he thought, "Soraya Taheri. My Swap Meet Princess" (Hosseini 142). When Amir meets Soraya, he falls in love immediately. Soraya becomes a major character in Amir's life and influences his decisions for the rest of the book. -
Baba gets prognosed with cancer
Amir took Baba to the doctor for his illness. Upon learning the prognosis, Amir thought, "It turned out, like Satan, cancer had many names. Baba's was called 'Oat Cell Carcinoma'" (Hosseini 156). As Amir and Baba finally became close, Baba's death was coming closer, terrifying Amir. Caring for Baba becomes Amir's goal, and everything seems to be their "last" together. -
US seeks to destroy Soviets in Afghanistan
1986 - US begins supplying mujahideen with Stinger missiles, enabling them to shoot down Soviet helicopter gunships. Babrak Karmal replaced by Najibullah as head of Soviet-backed regime. (BBC) -
Amir gets married
Baba said, "'Up to this? It's the happiest day of my life, Amir,"' (Hosseini 166). Baba's happiness illustrates how Baba and Amir have come to care for each other on equal terms, and Amir's life is turning into the happy one he always wished for. Marrying Soraya shined a bright light into Amir's life, and gave him happiness despite the graveness of Baba's situation. -
Baba's death
As Baba and Amir have had a happy relationship for the past few years at last, "Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). Baba's death was happy, however devastating for Amir. Amir felt all alone, and the crushing weight of the world terrified him. This shows the struggle Amir still undergoes and the sadness at the loss of his father -
Osama Bin Laden forms his terrorist groups
In September, Osama bin Laden and 15 other Islamists form the group al-Qaida, or “the base”, to continue their jihad, or holy war, against the Soviets ... With their belief that the Soviet’s faltering war in Afghanistan was directly attributable to their fighting, they claim victory in their first battle, but also begin to shift their focus to America, saying the remaining superpower is the main obstacle to the establishment of a state based on Islam. (PBS) -
The Taliban appear
Newly formed Islamic militia, the Taliban, rises to power ... Most Afghans, exhausted by years of drought, famine, and war, approve of the Taliban for upholding traditional Islamic values. The Taliban outlaw cultivation of poppies for the opium trade, crack down on crime and curtail the education and employment of women. Women are required to be fully veiled and are not allowed outside alone. Islamic law is enforced via public executions and amputations. (PBS) -
Hassan's death
As Rahim Khan recalled his story to Amir he said, "'And two years later, in 1998, they massacred the Hazaras in Mazar-i-Sharif"' (Hosseini 213). Despite being separated, Hassan still was devoted and cared for Amir deeply. Although Amir hadn't heard about or from Hassan since he left for America, Amir was devasted at the knowledge of his best friend's death. Hassan's death ruined Amir even more, deepening his guilt as now there was nothing he could do. -
UN Sanction Afghanistan
By now considered an international terrorist, bin Laden is widely believed to be hiding in Afghanistan, where he is cultivating thousands of followers in terrorist training camps. The United States demands that bin Laden be extradited to stand trial for the embassy bombings. The Taliban decline to extradite him. The United Nations punishes Afghanistan with sanctions restricting trade and economic development. (PBS) -
Amir returns to Afghanistan
As Amir flies away he thinks, "[June 2001] A week later, I sat on a window seat aboard a Pakistani International Airlines flight," (Hosseini 194). This is a turning point in the story as Amir decides to atone for his guilt that he has felt ever since abandoning Hassan and begins his journey to right his wrongs. Raheem Khans words, "There is a way to be good again" motivates Amir, and Amir finally used this as a chance to gain closure and true freeness in his life. -
Amir learns Hassan was his half-brother
Upon Rahim Khan's call, Amir decided to return to Afghanistan. When he met with Rahim Khan, Amir yelled, "'Did Hassan know?'" (Hosseini 222). This knowledge is extra weight to the burden and shame Amir feels, knowing not only that he abandon and ruin his best friend, he abandoned his half-brother. Upon learning this, Amir is sent spiraling into depression, adding even more chains that hold him down and make him feel worthless in the world. -
Amir confronts Assef
As Amir talks to the Taliban holding Sohrab, he says, "But he was already here, in the flesh, sitting less than ten feet from me, after all these years. His name escape my lips: 'Assef'" (Hosseini 281). As Amir tries to redeem himself, he literally confronts his demons; He confronts his past and fear and the rapist of Hassan. In a strange way, confronting Assed gives closure and security to Amir, as he gets to stand up for Hassan in contrast to how he abandoned him all those years ago. -
Amir takes Sohrab to America
As Amir and Sohrab's plane touched down, Amir thought "and I brought Hassan's son from Afghanistan to America" (Hosseini 356). This is Amir's final act of atonement, and Sohrab brings Amir joy and allows Amir to forgive himself for what he did to Hassan all those years ago. Sohrab's suffering had caused him to bond with Amir, and this bond frees Amir for the chains of shame. -
Due to 9/11, the US calls for bin Laden to face trial in the US
Following unanswered demands that the Taliban turn over bin Laden, U.S. and British forces launch airstrikes against targets in Afghanistan. American warplanes start to bomb Taliban targets and bases reportedly belonging to the al-Qaida network. The Taliban proclaim they are ready for jihad. (PBS)