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Zahir Shah Rules Afghanistan
"The year Zahir Shah began his forty-year reign of Afghanistan"was 1933 (24). This quote gives the reader more background on what was happening throughout Afghanistan. It gave a big picture idea of what life was like. -
Baba is Born
"In 1933, the year Baba was born", the Zahir Shah reign also began. This reveals that Baba is around forty years old when Hassan and Amir are born. It also shows that he was born into the Zahir Shah era. -
Amir Is Born, Sofia Akrami Dies
Amir shares when he was born when he says, "Hassan was born in the winter of 1964, just one year after my mother died giving birth to me"(6). In this quote, Amir says how he is one year older than Hassan, born in 1964. He also reveals that his mother had died during childbirth. -
Hassan Is Born
Amir reveals when Hassan was born when he says, ït was there, in that little shack, that Hassan was born in the winter of 1964"(6). This is when Amir talks about everyone important in his life. This sections gives the reader some background information before getting into the plot. -
Sanaubar Leaves Hassan and Ali
Sanaubar decides to leave Hassan and Ali shown in the text when Amir says, "se ran off with a clan of traveling singers and dancers"(6). This is significant to both Hassan and Ali. Not having a mother or wife impacted their lives significantly. -
Amir Wins Kite Fighting Tournament
Hassan would always run down kites for Amir and ïn the winter of 1975, [Amir] saw Hassan run a kite for the last time" (55). This quote shows how everything is about to change. It also shows Hassan's loyalty to Amir. -
Hassan and Ali Leave
In the summer of 1976, Ali says, "We can't live here anymore" (106). This is significant because Amir and Hassan had been best friends until the kite flying tournament, and just a few months after that, they leave. It creates a guilty feeling for Amir and Baba. -
Soviet Troops Invade Kabul
"The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on December 27, 1979," and they did this to help out the president of Afghanistant, Babrak Karmal (2). -
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Soviets Stay in Afghanistan
While they ultimately did not win, "Soviet troops stayed in the country for more than nine years" (2). -
Amir and Baba go to America
Amir and Baba decide to go to America when they "left Kabul just after two in the morning" (110). This is very significant and it completely changes both of their lives. They have to begin a new life in America. -
Amir and Soraya Marry
Although Soraya reveals her dark past, Amir does not care when he says that "nothing [Soraya] said changes anything. [He] still wants to get married" (165). This is exciting news for everyone, especially Amir. All his life he had been surrounded by men, and then he gets married. -
Baba Dies
A moth after the wedding, "Baba never woke up" (173) Amir is crushed by this because Baba was his idol and role model, and he would have to go through life alone. However, he had a new family in the Taheri's to help him. -
Amir Searches for Hassan
Amir "went to Hazarajat to find Hassan in 1986" (203). Amir explains that is because he was very lonely. However there are other reasons, but this started the journey to get Sohrab. -
United States Supply Weapons
In 1987, "the Soviet Air Force was also rendered largely useless by advanced Stinger aintiaircraft missiles supplied by the United States to the rebels" (2). -
Amir Writes His First Novel
In the summer of 1988, Amir writes his first novel about "a father-son story set in Kabul" (182). Amir may have been writing this about himself and Baba. Besides that, it marks Amir's success in America. -
Soviet Troops Leave Afghanistan
After the United Nations talked to the Soviet Union, "the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan... in what was in effect a unilateral withdrawal" (2). -
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Northern Alliance Takes Over Kabul
Rahim Khan told Amir that the "Northern Alliance took over Kabul between Kabul between 1992 and 1996" (199). This created chaos in Kabul and made life much more difficult for Amir when he returned. It also gives out background information to the reader. -
Division of Groups
After the Soviets left Afghanistan, "power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms. But one group would eventually gain control" (2). -
Mullah Omars Ascent
At the end of 1994, "Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east" (2). -
Taliban Takes Control
When the Pakistani helped the Taliban, "the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan" (3). -
Amir Brings Sohrab to America
Amir and Shorab are ecstatic when Amir receives the news about going to America and shouts, "We're going to America, you and I. Did you hear me? We're going to America" (343). For Sohrab, this means that this is the first place where he will be very safe. However, it is Amir that reacts more because Sohrab does not truly know what is happening. -
Attack on the World Trade Center
With the Taliban in control, "the attack on the World Trade Center [occured] in New York on September 11, 2001 (3). -
Hamid Karzai Takes Control
In December of 2001, "Hamid Karzai, a supporter and relative of Mohammad Zahir Shah, the exiled former king of Afghanistan, was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban, making him the leader of the country" (3). -
Petraus Holds Responsibility for Military Operations
The Iraqi general Petraeus "had taken charge of United States Central Command in October 2008, with responsibility for military operations in Iraq" (4).