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Hassan's birth
Amir recalls Hassan's brith as he explains, "it was there, in that little shack, that Hassan was born in the winter of 1964, just one year after mother died giving birth to me"(5). Not only does this event symbolize the brith of Hassan, but the birth of a friendship between Hassan and Amir. Little did Amir know, that Hassan would have a huge impact on his life forever. -
End of Kabul monarchy
The next morning, Kabul awoke "to find that the monarchy was a thing of the past. The king, Zahir Shah, was away in Italy. In his absece, his cousin Daoud Khan had ended the king's forty-year reign with a bloodless coup"(39). Amir's childhood was beginning to turn into a violent scenario. As he witnessed frightening events, this shaped him as a person. -
Hassan's Birthday Present
As Hassan and Amir were excited to see what Hassan would be recieving for his birthday, they noticed "there was nos gift-wrapped box in sight. No bag. No toy. Just Ali standing behind us, and Baba with this slight Indian fellow who looked a little like a mathematics teacher"(48). Baba's grand birthday present to Hassan was to fix his cleft lip. Although this was an unexpected gift, it showed how much Baba really cared for Hassan, like his very own son. -
Hassan's violation
After Amir's great win, he witnessed an awful event that dramatcially affected his life. He never opened up to anyone or told them that he "watched Hassan get raped"(91). Guilt takes over Amir as he recalls standing in the alley, watching Hassan get violated, as he did nothing. This incident shapes Amir's actions the rest of his life. -
The Kite Running Competition
As the Kite Running competition began, Amir recalls, "I jerked the string twice, our usual signal, and Hassan tossed the kite" (66). Amir had been waiting for this moment for a long time. He finally felt that he had a chance to please Baba and gain his acceptance. -
Amir turns thirteen
Amir writes how he "turned thirteen that summer of 1976..." (98). Baba also throws a grand party, inviting 400 plus people. Although Amir doesn't want to invite everyone, Baba insists. -
Ali and Hassan Leave
After Amir frames Hassan for stealing his money, Ali explains, " 'We can't live here anymore' "(112). This is the last time Amir sees Hassan. Although Baba forgives Hassan for stealing Amir's money, Ali feels the tensions between the boys and knows it is no longer and comfortable living space for him and Hassan. -
End of the "normal" way of life
As life progressed in Afganistan, the "normal way of living would come to "[the] end, the official end, would comefirst in April 1978 with the communist coup d etat, and then in December 1979, when Russian tanks would roll into the very same streets where Hassan and I played..."(39). Throughout Amir's childhood, for the most part, he lived a safe life. Up until these disasterous events took place, there were no major worries and everyone lived a "normal" life. Once these events took place, -
(continuation of the end of the "normal" way of life)
Afghanistan would become an extremely hazardeous country. -
Soviet Union
Afghanistan had always had a violent past, "since 1979, when the Soviet Union invaded. Now it is the scene of what has becoe the cetnral militart struggle for the United States."(The New York Times). -
Amir and Baba leave Kabul
After the Taliban take over Afghanistan, Amira and Baba decide to improve their lives by leaving Kabul. Amir states, we'd left Kabul just after two in the morning"(116). Due to the Taliban, Amir and Baba had to leave during the night so they would not get punished. This was the beginning of their long and idfficult journey to America. -
Baba and Amir in America
After a long a harsh trip,"Baba loved the idea of America. It was living in America that gave him an ucler"(132). Although Baba did not have as much power or wealth, he loved seeing all of the happiness America brought to people. Everyone was safe and peaceful, and most importantly, they felt safe. -
Pakistani Officers
The article explains the background of Afghanistan by explaining, "[a]s early as 1994, Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money and supplied to Mullah Omar's men, as well as military advisers to help guide them in battle"(The New York Times). -
Amir and Soray's Wedding
When Amir decided to marry Soraya, "Baba spent nearly the balance of his life savings, on the awroussi, the wedding ceremony"(178). This significated a chapter in amir's life. He was moving on from his past and starting his independent life. Baba was alos gorwing old, and to spent almost all of his life saving on this wedding showed that Baba was almost done with his glorious life. -
Baba's Death
Baba's time had come, and he was slowly dying. Amir knew this and finally felt a strong emotional connection with his father. He opens up to Soraya as he explains, "Soraya pulled ne to her and the tears finally came"(185). Baba was Amir's role model whome Amir looked at for everything. This time period was very difficult for Amir, as he let go a part of himself, his father. -
Extremist Islamic group gains control
Post the attacks of the Al Qaeda, "the extremist Islamic group that had seized control in 1996 after years of civil war..." ( The New York Times). -
Taliban Control
With the help "Pakistani aid, the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan, imposing strict enforcment of fundalmentalist Islamic law, banning movies and music and ofrcing women out of schools and into all-enveloping burqa clothing"(The New York Times). -
Visiting Rahim Khan
As Amir recieves a call from Rahim Khan, he is informed that RAhim is close to dying. Amir decides to return back to Afghanistan to visit Rahim. As he knocks on the door, "a thing made of skin and bones pretending to be Rahim Khan opened the door"(207). Amir is shocked and knows that a lot has happened since he had left. Rahim informs Amir of the terrible take over of the Taliban and how everyone is suffering. He also reveals Baba's life long secret, that Amir and Hassan are brother. Rahim also -
(Visiting Rahim Khan continuation)
informs Amir that Hassan and his wife had been killed by the Taliban, however their son is still alive in an orphanage. After much persuaion, Amir fianlly decides to find Hassan's son, Sohrab, and adopt him. -
Sohrab moves to America
Sohrab and Amir's lives change forever as Amir explains," we arived home about seven months ago, on a warm day in August 2001" (376). Sohrab finally has a safe place he could call home. This event also shows how Amir changes as a person, taking a leap that changes his life forever. -
9/11
Amir explains how, "one Tuesday morning last September, the Twin Towers cam crumbling down and, overnight, the world changed"(381). This event changed the lives of Americans and Afghans all around the worrld. Many people were looked at differently, and countless people were hurt. -
When the U.S. military first got involved with Afghanistan
America has always been fulfilling to the best of their ability to take down the poor Afghanistan power as' " [t]he United States has been involved in Afghanistan since 2001" (The New York Times). Afghanistan has always had their issues, however since 2001 America felt the need to step in and help end the horrible dictatorship. Their government dictates and takes conrol over innocent people, and America stepped in because they know this had to end. -
America Invades Al Qaeda
As Ameica witnessed attacks from Al Qaeda, their 2001 "invasion succeeded in dislodging Al Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power, but not eradicting either group" (The New York Times). -
Hanmid Karzai
The article explains, -
Iraq "Surge"
A former General, "the architect of the 2007 'surge' in Iraq, in command of American forces in Afghanistan, and the pace of American operations steppped up enourmously, initially in the Taliban's stronghold in the south" (The New York Times). -
Obama Speech
A speech from Obama was delivered on "Dec. 1, 2009, at West Point, Mr. Obama announced his plan to deply 30,000 additional troops. He vowed to start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan..." (The New York Times). -
Initial Plans for American Comabt Forces
This article explains how the "initial plans called for American combat forces to begin withdrawing from Afghanistan in the summer of 2011..."(The New York Times).