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Baba was born
Baba, Amir's father, was born in 1933 but this was also the year Baba met Ali. After a car crash killing Ali's parents, "[Amir's] grandfather adopted him into his own household and told the other setrvants to tutor him, but to be kind to him"(Hosseini 24). Since birth, Baba and Ali have been brought together and have lived together. When Ali decides it would be best if he left them, Baba cries because they have known eachother for over thirty years. -
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Zahir Shah's forty year reign of Afghanistan
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Amir writes his first short story
One day in July 1973, Amir was reading to Hassan but then decided to stray from the words on the page and make up his own story. Amir thought that Hassan would realize that the story was made up, yet Hassan began clapping and told Amir that it "was the best story [he had] read [to him] in a long time"(Hosseini 30). This event inspired Amir to write a short story that evening and to continue writing for the rest of his life. Amir finally found something that would make others proud of him. -
Zahir Shah is taken out of Power
For 40 years, Zahir Shah ruled as king of Afghanistan. Yet while the king Zahir was in Italy, "Daoud Khan ended the king's forty-year reign with a bloodless coup."(Hosseini 36). While the establishment of a republic might have sounded good at the time, it was only the beginning of the end. Russian tanks would roll in six years later and Afghanistan would change forever. -
Baba gets Hassan plastic surgery
After waiting all winter to find out what Hassan would get for his birthday, Baba shows up with a unusual suprise. There was no bag, no toy, just "this slight Indian fellow who looked a little like a mathematics teacher."(Hosseini 45). Despite what it looked like, this man was a plastic surgeon and was able to fix the abnormality with Hassan's upper lip. While not apparent at first, we are shown later that Baba was actually Hassan's father and that is why he got Hassan plastic surgery. -
Assef rapes Hassan
Running ahead, Hassan makes sure to grab the winning kite as it is coming down after the 1975 kite tournament. Yet on his way back alone, Assef and his friends pinned down Hassan and Assef "[d]ropped his underwear. He positioned himself behind Hassan. Hassan didn't struggle."(Hosseini 75). Meanwhile, Amir is hiding behind a corner watching his childhood friend get raped. This moment changed Hassan and Amir's relationship forever and caused Amir to ignore and stay away from Hassan due to guilt. -
Amir's Thirteenth birthday
Even though Amir doesn't have many friends, Baba's motto is to invite the world and put on the biggest of parties.While it is Amir's party, most people "weren't really coming for [Amir]. It was for [Amir's] birthday" (Hosseini 94). Amir know's that Baba isn't putting on the party for his son, but for his own interest and so that people will respect him. Amir doesn't have a say in who comes either, and so Assef showed up and gifted Amir a biography of Hitler. -
Russia Invades
Russia's "first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul...to assist Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership." (NYT). Russia invaded to stop Afghan leader who they lost trust in from coming back and keeping Karmal in power. -
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Russia in Afghanistan
Russia invades and occupies Afghanistan -
Baba and Amir Leave Kabul
Following the Russian takeover of Afghanistan, Baba decides it is time for them to leave. Back in Afghanistan, people have "turned on eachother, neighbor on neighbor, child on parent, brother on brother, servant on master, friend on friend." (Hosseini 112).Baba was able to find them a truck that would smuggle them across the border to Pakistan where it was safer. Abandoning everything, Baba hopes to get to America and start a new life for themselves. -
Mr. Nguyen kicks Baba out of his store
Shopping at "Fast & Easy," Baba forgets his cash and gets really upset when Mr. Nguyen asks him to show his ID. Baba yells in response that for 'two years [he's] bought [Mr. Nguyen's] damn fruits and put money in his pocket" (Hosseini 127). Unlike in the US, Baba had power and respect in Afghanistan and is adjusting to life in Amerioa. In Afghanistan, there were no IDs and Baba feels that there is no sense of trust in the US. -
Amir graduates from high school
Coming to America has been rough for Baba, but seeing Amir graduate gives him hope for the future. After the graduation ceremony, Baba says that he is "moftakhir [of] Amir...Proud" (Hosseini 131). In Afghanistan, Baba had friends and connections he could talk to for comapny. Yet in America however, Baba and Amir have bonded and they can finally connect. -
Baba begins going to the flea market
Buying a Volkswagen bus, Baba begins heading out with Amir every saturday to sell things they had bought at garage sales. Feeling at home with fellow Afghanis, "Baba sauntered down the aisle, hands respectfully pressed to his chest, greeting people he knew from Kabul." (Hosseini 138). Baba now has something to look forward to and is proud to talk about Amir and his writing. Amir also met Soroya at the flea market who later marries Amir. -
Soviet Air Rendered Useless
In respone to the Soviets invading, the US countered the Soviet Air Force with "advanced stinger antiaircraft missiles supplied by the United States to the rebels." (NYT). The US wanted to stop the spread of Communism as much as they could without going to direct war. -
Amir finished his first novel and it got published.
After finishing a father-son story set in Kabul, Amir was able to get the novel published with the help of an agent. Celebation ensued and the general had "a sheen of moisture in his eyes [and] said that he was proud of [Amir]." (Hosseini 183). If it weren't for Rahim Khan's encouragment of Amir's writing, he would never become a pulished author. Things are looking for the better in America and Amir has made a life for himself. -
Soviets leave Afghanistan
After much discontent in Afghanistan, "peace talks moderated by the United Nations [caused] the last Soviet troop [to leave] Afghanistan" (NYT). This left Afghanistan a country devastated by war and a home to terrorists. -
Northern Alliance takes over Kabul
After the Russians left, Afghanistan tumbled into turmoil. Kabul was divided and moving between neighborhoods caused you to risk "getting shot by a sniper or getting blown up by a rocket." (Hosseini 199). Civil war plagued Kabul and there was a constant spreading fear of dying from clashes between groups. Rahim Khan stayed because Kabul was his home and continued to stay when the Taliban showed up. -
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Northern Alliance takes over Kabul
After the Russians left, Afghanistan tumbled into turmoil. Kabul was divided and moving between neighborhoods caused you to risk "getting shot by a sniper or getting blown up by a rocket." (Hosseini 199). Civil war plagued Kabul and there was a constant spreading fear of dying from clashes between groups. Rahim Khan stayed because Kabul was his home and continued to stay when the Taliban showed up. -
Chaos and Anarchy
After the soviets left, "Afghanistan descended into vicious internecine strife... [where] power was anarchically divded among competing warlord and individual fiefdoms." (NYT). Yet over time, one group began to assert dominance. -
Taliban Take over Afghanistan
The Taliban take over "imposing strict enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law." (NYT). This lead to an unhappy populace ruled by this totalitarian regime. -
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The Taliban Take Over
Taliban enfore harsh extremist rule and host Al Gaeda as guests. -
Osama bin Laden Arrives
This new Afghanistan "also provided a haven for Mr. bin Laden, who arrived by chartered jet at Jalalabad Airport." (NYT). Bin Laden later lead to found the terrorist group Al Qaeda which was condemmed by the world. -
Rahim Khan calls and asks Amir to come to Pakistan
After many years of no contact with his family back in the Middle East, he finally receives a call from Rahim Khan. Rahim Khan wants Amir to visit him in Pakistan by telling him that "[t]here is a way to be good again." (Hosseini 192). Thinking about Rahim, Amir realizes that he knows about how Assef raped Hassan while Amir watched. This is what Rahim refers to when he says that Amir can be good again. Rahim doesn't want Amir to only visit him but he wants Amir to repay for his and Baba's sins. -
Sohrab and Amir are back in America
After the long trek into Afghanistan, Amir was finally able to pull Sohrab out of the Middle East and into America. Soroya meets Sohrab and we get "a glimpse of the mother she might have been, had her own womb not betrayed her."(Hosseini 358). After so many tries to have child, Soroya and Amir finally get Sohrab, but he is not what they were expecting. The trauma caused from everything in Afghanistan and Pakistan has rendered him quiet, introverted, and tired. -
Al Qaeda Destroy the US World Trade Center
Al Qaeda crashed two planes into the twin towers and then "the United States joined forces with rebel groups that had never accepted Taliban rule... [and] drove the Taliban out of major Afghan cities." (NYT). The 9/11 attack led the US to directly invade Afghanistan which has had many consequences to this day. -
Sohrab flies his first Kite
After so many tries to become close to Sohrab, kite flying finally brought a smile to his face. While Soroya had given up on Sohrab, Amir bought a kite and Sohrab had "[o]ne corner of his mouth...curled up just so. A smile. Lopsided.Hardly there. But there."(Hosseini 370-371). After so many years of hardship, Sohrab can finally be a kid again with smiles and excitement. This event concludes The Kite Runner and gives hope that the future is bright and that Sohrab, Amir, and Soroya can find joy. -
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The Karzai Government
Former Afghan king is put back in power. He was very popular but his support slowly decline as he couldn't fufill his promises. -
Hamid Karzai Elected President
After the Taliban were driven out, "Hamid Karzai...was named chairman of an interm government that replaced the defeated Taliban." (NYT). The US put Karzai in power leading to the Karzai government. -
Obama's Plan
US President Obama "anounced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops. He vowed to start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011."(NYT). This shows how the US is trying to pull itself out of the middle east and return soldiers to their homes. -
Obama's Change in Plan
Before the 2011 deadline, "the Obama administration changed its tone to increasingly emphasize the idea the the UNited States will have forces in the country until at least the end of 2014." (NYT). This shows how hard it is to create stability in Afghanistan as the Taliban won't give up and are wearing on US forces.