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Zahir Shah comes to power
1993 marks the year when, "Baba was born and the year Zahir Shah began his forty year reign of Afghanistan" (24). This was signifigant in the text because it shows when Shah came to power. Because politics factors into Afghanistan's destruction, it is crucial to know when certain people were elected. -
Amir and Hassan's childhood
Amir and Hassan had an easy and fun childhood that was characterized by them watching there, "first western together" or sitting under the pomegranete tree (26). Growing up they lived easy lives that were fun and relaxed. By watching movies and playing around they showed how they lived a nice, wealthy lifestye. -
Chaos starts
In 1978 gunshots started and so did the, "generation of afghan children whose ears would know nothing but the sounds of bombs and gunfire" (36). This moment in the text signifies when chaos breaks out in afghanistan. It shows how afghanistan would soon be full of bullets. -
Soviet Union Invades
The Societ union invaded Afghanistan and created the, "turmoil and extre,ism that has dominated its history since" (NYT 2) -
Amir wins kite fight
One winter around 1980, Amir exclaimed, "we won! We won!" shortly after cutting th elast kites string (66) this was a signifigant moment in the text because it was when amir won. This would lead to bad news for Hassan and pride for Amir -
Amir gets Baba's respect
After winning the kite tournament Amir turned to his father to see that a, "smile [had] played on my fathers lips" (79). This was signifigant because it was the first time Amir was respeced by his father. He earned respect and his fathers attention by abandoning Hassan. -
Hassan gets abused
After Amir won the tournament, Hassan went to get the kite but was stopped by Assef who, "knelt behind Hassan, put his hands on Hassan's hips and lifted his bare buttocks" (75).This was a signifigant moment because it is when Hassan sacrificed everything for Amir. It would lead to tensions between Amir and Hassan. -
Hassan and Ali leave
After Amir planting the presents under Hassan's bed, Ali tells Baba that, "we don't work for you anymore" (107). This was the last time Amir saw Hassan. It showed how Amir was selfish for purposefully kicking Hassan out. -
Baba and Amir leave afghanistan
In 1981 Baba and Amir snuck out of Afghanistan in a truck driven by Kami who, "was a people smuggler" (111). They were leaving because of the fighting in Afghanistan. It was to dangerous. -
Amir and Baba get to America
America was a safe place and, "Baba loved the idea of" it (125). He liked it's freedom. Since Baba was very liberal in Afghanistan, America was the perfect place for him. the 1980's marked the era of when Amir and Baba migrated. -
Amir graduates high school
Amir, "graduated from high school at the age of twenty" with plans to go to college (131). This was important because it would allow him to pursue his dreams. By going to college Amir would be able to become a succesful writer. -
Baba has cancer
Baba was diagnosed with, "oat cell carcinoma. Advanced. Inoperable" and said to be dying (156). This marked the time in Baba's life when he was helpless. He did not have control over his future for the first time in his life. -
Baba dies
After being put to bed by Soraya Baba went to sleep and "never woke up" (173). It was the first time in the book when Amir was truly alone. He no longer had blood family in America, only Soraya. -
Soraya agrees to marriage
Baba asked the general for Amir to marry Soraya and while Amir was talking to her she told him that, "he said yes" (164). This was an important event in the book becaue it marks the moment when Amir is in love. Amir shows he is setled in America. -
Soviet Troops Left Afghanistan
The Societ troops were fighting in Afghanistan until, "peace talks moderated by the United Nations" caused the last troops to leave in February 1989 (NYT 2) -
Taliban Seizes control of Afghanistan
In 1996 the, "extremist Islamic group" the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan (NYT 1) -
Rahim Khan tells Amir about Hassan
When Amir is visiting Khan, Rahim tell's him about Hassan and how, "he and Farzana had decided to move to Kabul" at Khans invitation. This was a choice that would lead to Hassans death. Because of this moment when Hassan decides to go, he sets himself up to later be killed by the Taliban. -
Rahim Khan is sick
In 2001 Amir received a call from Rahim Khan in which he told Amir he is very sick, causing Amir to tell Soraya that he has, "to go to Pakistan" (191). This was signifigant because Amir had not been back there for many years. He had also not seen Khan for over two centurys, so to see him again would be awkward. -
US invasion Response to 9/11
In response to 9/11 the US attacked Afghanistan because they gave Bin Laden a "Safe haven in the country" (NYT 1) -
Taliban loses Power in Afghanistan
After 9/11 the US invaded causing the, "Taliban [to be removed] from power" (NYT 1) -
George Bush gives Taliban an Ultimatum
Right after 9/11 President Bush issued an ultimatum for Bin Laden which after the Taliban "refused, the United States joined forces" with rebels to try and track down Bin Laden (NYT 3) -
Hamid Karzai becomes president
In December of 2001 after the Taliban were kicked out of Afghanistan Hamid Karazai "was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated taliban" (NYT 3) -
General David H Petraeus in charge of US forces in Afghanistan
During Obama's administration he put General David H. Petraeus in, "command of American forces in Afghanistan" (NYT 1). -
Power divided among warlords
After the Soviets left there was no system of control: the country's power was "divided among competing warlords" (NYT 2) -
US plans to give control of security to Afghanistan
Obama is planning to keep US troops in Afghanistan until 2014 when he, "intends to pass responsibility for security to the Afghan government" (NYT 1)