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Baba is Born
In the year 1933, the same year Zahir Shah began his reign of Afganistan, "...Baba was born" (Hosseini 24). This quote gives the reader an idea of the ages of one of the characters. Age can help relate characteristics to their personalities and helps the reader create an image of the character in their head. -
Amir and Hassan Heard the First Gunshots
On this day, Amir, Hassan, and Ali heard, "...[t]he shootings and explosions [that had] lasted less than an hour [and] they had frightened [them] badly, because none of [them] had ever heard gunshots in the streets" (Hosseini 36). This day is when war first starts breaking out in Afghanistan. Amir and Hassan get the first taste of what life in war and most of their adolescent lives will be like. -
Amir Wins the Kite Flying Competition
In the winter of 1975, Amir won his first kite flying competition with Hassan by his side. Once Amir realized he won, "...[He] was screaming, and everything was color and sound, everything was alive and good" (66). Amir and Hassan won their first competition, but this good feeling would soon come to an end. -
Amir Turns Thirteen
In mid summer, 1976, Amir turned thirteen and Baba threw a big party, his motto being, "...Invite the whole world or it's not a party" (93). During this big party, Amir gets presents from everyone, including Assef. But the only present that he truly treasures is a writing journal he received from Rahim Khan. -
Ali and Hassan Leave
The day after Amir's thirteenth birthday, Ali and Hassan decide to leave Baba and Amir. When Baba begs and pleads them not to go, Baba forbids them to leave, to which Ali responds, "Respectfully, you can't forbid me anything, Agha sahib...[w]e don't work for you anymore" (107). Many big events happen on this day. Hassan falsely admits to stealing money and a watch from Amir, Hassan and Ali leave, Ali and Hassan both stand up for themselves, and corruption begins. -
Soviets First Invade Afghanistan
The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, and this started when, "[t]he first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979, to assist Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership" (New York Times 2). -
Soviet Union Invades Afghanistan
The country of Afghanistan, "...has known little peace since 1979, when the Soviet Union invaded" (New York Times 1). -
Baba and Amir leave to go to Peshawar
Baba and Amir, along with many others, try to free themsleves from the terrors the Russians brought to Afghanistan. They head over in a truck, driven by Karim, which is, "...taking [them] to Jalalabad... where [Karim's] brother...who ha[s] a bigger truck with a second convoy of refugees, was waiting to drive [them] across the Khyber Pass and into Peshwar" (111). All of these refugees plan to make their escape before they are hurt by the Russians. While on this journey, they hit a few bumps. -
Baba and Amir Live in America
Baba and Amir make their way to America and settle down in Fremont, California. Amir likes it there, but the only reason Baba likes it is because it makes his son happy. Baba has a bit of a hard time getting used to the American lifestyle; even Amir says that, "My father is still adjusting to life in America" (128). Amir and Baba plan to start their new life in America with new friends, a new school, and new opportunities. -
Amir Meets and Falls in Love With Soraya Taheri
While at a garage sale-like fair, Amir meets Soraya Taheri, General Taheri's daughter, who he instantly falls in love with. The first night Amir met her, he thinks, "of Soraya Taheri's sickle-shaped birthmark, her gently hooked nose, and the way her luminous eyes had fleetingly held mine" (142). After meeting Soraya, Amir falls in love with her, but it is hard to get to know her with her parents looming over her. And he has to make a good impression on her parents if he wants to marry her. -
Baba is Diagnosed With Cancer
During the summer of 1983, Baba gets a horrible cold, and after a check up at the doctors insisted on my Amir, they find out that Baba has lung cancer. Chemotherapy is available, but, "...it wouldn't change the outcome, just prolong it" (156). To Amir's disapproval, Baba refused chemotherapy. Week after week Baba gets sicker and less healthy looking, which worried his family and friends. -
Amir Asks for Soraya's Hand In Marriage
Amir sent Baba to get General Taheri's consent in their childrens' marriage, and Baba later called on the phone saying, "The general accepted" (163). Amir was so happy that he got to marry the love of his life and this new milestone in his life began his life as a man. -
Baba Dies From Cancer
A few days after Amir and Soraya's wedding, Baba is found dead in his bed. The night before, Soraya tucked him in, "...pulled up his blanket. [Amir and Soraya] closed the door. Baba never woke up" (173). This sad day for Amir marked the day that he became the man in his family. Baba was his biggest role model, and now he needed to become the role model now that his role model is gone. -
Soviet Union Left Afghanistan
In February of 1986, "...after peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan" (New York Times 2). -
Rahim Khan Visits Hassan
Rahim Khan went to find Hassan to help maintain Baba's old house. Rahim Khan meets Hassan's family, including his wife and kid. While Rahim Khan is living with Hassan, the Talibans come and kill both Hassan and his wife, and he says to Amir, "So they took his to the street...and ordered him to kneel...and shot him in the back of the head" (219). Amir is devestated by this and this brings Amir to go to Kabul to find Hassan's son. -
Mullah Omar Gains Popularity
Mullah Omar grew popular, "[b]y the end of 1994 [and] Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east" and "[a]s early as 1994, Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money and supplies to Mullah Omar's men, as well as military advisers to help guide them in battle" (New York Times 2-3). -
Talibans Gain Power
The group called the Talibans were an, "...extremist Islamic group that had seized control in 1996 after years of civil war" (New York Times 1). -
Osama Bin Laden Arrives in Afghanistan
Osama bin Laden, "...arrived by chartered jet at Jalalabad Airport in May 1996..." (New York Times 3). -
Hassan is Murdered
While discussing Hassan with Rahim Khan, Rahim Khan breaks the news that Hassan and his wife Farzana were shot to death by the Talibans. Soon after Rahim Khan left Kabul, "a rumor spread that a Hazara family was livingalone in the big house in Wazir Akbar Khan..." (218). This rumor caused the Talibans to murder both Hassan and his wife because a Hazara was not allowed to stay in a rich person's home, even though Hassan was just taking care of the house for Rahim Khan. -
Amir Goes To Peshawar To Meet With Rahim Khan
In June of 2001, Amir receives a phone call from Rahim Khan saying, "Come. There is a way to be good again" (192). Rahim Khan became sick and wanted to tell Amir one last thing before he dies. Rahim Khan tells him about the time that he went to visit Hassan. -
Amir Meets Assef After Many Years
Amir goes looking for his half nephew, Sohrab, and low-and-behold, Assef returns as the Taliban leader, who is also using Sohrab as a toy to rape for fun. Amir did not recognize it was Assef until he said, "I've been wondering...[w]hatever happened to old Babalu, anyway?" (281). When Amir heard this nickname that all of the neighborhood children used to call Ali, he knew immediately that it was Assef, just by the way he said it. Amir then realizes that Assef is back and stronger than ever. -
Amir and Sohrab Go Back to America
In August of 2001, Amir returns to America with Sohrab for the first time. Soraya got to meet Sohrab for the first time, and her first impression is, "Salaam, Sohrab jan, I'm your Khala Soraya. We've all been waiting for you" (358). After being in Afghanistan for life, Sohrab gets to experience California for the first time, which isn't as exciting after his suisidal incident. But for Soraya, it is a pleasure to finally meet the boy Amir has been talking about for months. -
9/11 Terrorist Attack on the World Trade Center
Osama bin Laden (Al Qaeda) led, "...the attack on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2001..."(New York Times 3). -
Hamid Karazi Becomes Leader of Afghanistan
Because the former king of Afghanistan, Mohammad Zahir Shah, died, "...Hamid Karzi...was named chairman of an intern government...making him leader of the country" (New York Times 3). -
Sohrab Smiles
Amir and his family go to an Afghanistan party and the park. At the park, the kids are having a kite flying contest, which, after months of silence, Sohrab decides to join in on the kite flying fun and he manages to smile. When Amir looks down at Sohrab, he sees on, "[o]ne corner of his mouth had curled up just so. A smile" (370). Amir and Soraya finally get to see Sohrab smile, and his bad memories start to fade away, paving a path to a new and better life. -
General Petraeus Took Charge of U.S. Central Command
In October, 2008, Iraqian commander, "...[took] charge of the United States Central Command" (New York Times 4). -
Obama Delivers Speech About Troops in Afghanistan
President Obama delivered a speech that, "...announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops. [Obama] vowed to start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011, saying that the United States could not afford and should not have to shoulder an open-ended commitment" (New York Times 4). -
General Stanley A. McChystal Removed
General Stanley A. McChystal was, "...removed...after contemtuous quotes from the general and his staff about senior administration officials appeared in an article in Rolling Stone magazine" (New York Times 4).
