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Baba's family "adopts" Ali
In the year 1933, two brothers were high and crashed their car into a Hazara husband and wife. This couple had a five year old orphan and the judge of the brother's hearing "adopted him into his own household" (24). This boy was Ali, and the judge was Baba's father. Their friendship was similar to Amir and Hassan's. This is an important point in the story because without this, Amir and Hassan's friendship would have never happened and Amir's life would have been changed drastically. -
Assef violates Hassan
In the winter of 1975, Amir and Hassan enter the kite running competition. Amir does his best to win to impress Baba. Amir does win and Hassan goes to run down the kite. Amir then watches "Hassan's brown corduroy pants thrown on a heap of eroded bricks" (75) as Assef violates him. Amir does not do anything to help Hassan and he feels guilty for this for the rest of his life, no matter how hard he tries to forget. This moment changes Amir's life forever. -
1979: Soviet Union invades Afghanistan
On this date, the Soviet Union "parachuted into Kabul" (2), and most historians consider this to be where "the turmoil and extremeism that have dominated [Afghanistan's] history since then can be traced to..." (2). -
Baba and Amir flee from Afghanistan
Baba and Amir escape from Afganistan through "Karim [who] was a a people smuggler" (110). This is a turning point in Amir's life. He is only 18 and he and his father are leaving their once prosperous life in Afghanistan to a fresh start in America. One benefit to America was that it didn't have the violence that Afghanistan did. Two, it had more oppurtunites than Afghanistan at that point in time. Amir had more chances to succeed in America than he did in Afghanistan. -
Amir graduates high school
In the summer of 1983 Amir "graduated from high school at the age of 20" (131). With Amir getting a high school diploma, this allows him to go to college and find a career to pursue. This also gives him the chance to be successful and possibly have a comfortable life style in America. -
Baba gets diagnosed with cancer
In 1985, Baba gets diagnosed with cancer. Although Baba knows he is dying, "cancer couldn't keep Baba from the flea market" (157). This shows how resilient Baba is even when is months, or even days, away from dying. This also shows Amir the true person his father is, and though he is stubborn, he is also a great role model for Amir. -
Amir and Soraya get married
During this time period, Amir asks General Taheri if he can marry his daughter Soraya. At the time of the marriage Baba is still battling cancer and when Amir asked him if he was still feeling up to the wedding, he replied, "Up to this? It's the happiest day of my life, Amir" (166). Baba feels pride in his son marrying a woman and hopefully starting a family of their own. Amir has grown up and no longer needs Baba's care, but Baba now needs his. -
Baba passes away
A month after Amir and Soraya's wedding, Baba is getting ready for bed and Soraya offers him his pain medication. Baba denies it with the excuse that "There is no pain tonight" (173). Amir and Soraya left his bedroom, but the next morning, "Baba never woke up" (173). Amir's life changed dramatically after this because Baba was always there for him, telling him what to do. After he died, Amir felt he had no way of knowing what to do next. -
Rahim Khan finds Hassan in Hazarajat
In 1986, Rahim Khan went on a search to find Hassan. He had many reasons to find him, but the biggest one "was that [he] was lonely" (203). Rahim Khan finding Hassan was an important part of the book since Hassan was changed Rahim Khan's life. Both he and Hassan grew very connected and Hassan helped him out around the house. Rahim Khan was introduced to Hassan's son, wife, and mother and became very good friends with all of them. This was why he sent Amir to retireve Hassan from the orphanage. -
Amir publishes his first novel
Amir's first book was a hit a he celebrated when his agent told him he "was going to be a publsished novelist" (183). This oppurtunity opened many doors for Amir and he began to strive, living a comfortable American life. This made everyday living easier for him, Soraya, and Soraya's family. -
Soviet troops leave Afghanistan
The Soviet troops were taken out of Afghanistan in February 1989 after "...peace talks moderated by the United Nations..." (2). After they had left Islamic extremists who had come to help fight stayed behind. -
Afghanistan power is divided
By the summer of 1994, "...power was anarchically divided among ocmpeting warlords and individual fiefdoms" (2). This pretty much means Afghanistan was a total mess since there was no one to enforce real laws. -
Pakistan begins funding the Taliban
In 1994, "Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money and supplies to Mullah Omaar's men, as well as miltary advivsers to help guide them in battle" (3). If it weren't for the Pakistani's actions here, the Taliban might not have existed today. -
Taliban begins to grow
At the end of 1994, "...Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers..." (2). Mullah Omar was one of the original members of the Taliban and at this point in time, the popularity of the groups actions and ideas was growing at a fast rate meaning an increase in members. -
Osama bin Laden arrives in Afghanistan
In May of 1996, Osama bin Laden arrived in Afghanistan in a chartered jet. One of the reason's for this is because "the Taliban provided a haven for Mr. bin Laden..." (3). This means bin Laden was completely safe in Afghanistan. -
Amir gets a call from Rahim Khan
In June of 2001, Amir has finally settled into regular life in America. But, after a call from Rahim Khan, things turn upside down. Rahim Khan called because he "[was] very sick" (191). The call summons Amir back to Afghanistan as one of Rahim Khan's dying wishes. This visit forever changes Amir's life as he learns life long lessons, and finds things out that amaze and astound him. -
Al Qaeda World Trade Center attack
On September 11, 2001, a plane hijacked by an Al Qaeda member struck both World Trade Center building costing much damage and many lives. After this "...President George W. Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden" (3). This was an iconic moment in US history because it sparked the interest in Al Qaeda and it became one of our top military priorities. -
Amir gets a ride from Farid
At first Farid was very suspicious of Amir and thought he was just like every other American. When Amir is carsick and turns down Farid's Afghan "medicine", Farid Snickes and tells him "It's not fancy like American medicine, I know, just an old remedy my mother taught me" (229). Amir notices his uneasieness and tries his hardest to earn Farid's approval. When he reveals to Farid that he is risking his life to save a Hazara child that isn't his, he finally gets Farid's admiration and respect. -
Amir and Farid watch an execuction
After visiting the orphanage in which Sohrab was originally supposed to be, Amir and Farid find out that the owner of the orphanage is getting bullied by the Taliban into selling some of his kids to them. When he and Farid arive at Ghazi Stadium the see a Talib hurl a "stone at the blindfolded man in the hole" (271). This surprises Amir and his taken aback by the abruptness of the attack. -
Amir meets Assef again
When Amir schedules a meeting to try and find Sohrab, he meets Assef. Assef, who now has a high ranking position in the Taliban, had kidnapped Sohrab and kept him at his headquarters for enertainment. When Assef says "Whatever happened to old Babalu, anyway?" (281), Amir realizes that it is Assef who has taken Sohrab. The two begin to fight, but Amir ends up liking getting beat up, since he feels this is what he deserved for always bullying Hassan and never standing up for him. -
Hamid Karzai named chairman of interim government
In December 2001, Hamid Karzai became the "chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban" (3). He officially took office in June of 2001 and said he wanted to "secure peace for Afghanistan and win the country much needed international aid. He was then elected to a five year term as president. -
Amir takes Sohrab back to America
When Amir takes Sohrab back to America, Sohrab becomes silent. He does not say anything, nor seem to do anything. His "silence was hard on Soraya" (361), and Amir because their dreams of children weren't being fulfilled by Sohrab. The impact of a child in their lives was at first happy for Soraya and Amir, but slowly they became more and more depressed, and desperate. -
Amir takes Sohrab kite running
Though they are in the US, Amir and his family are still immersed in an Afgan community. Amir takes Sohrab kite running after catching sight of a kite comptetion. Sohrab ends up winning and being the last kite in the sky. Amir, filled with nostalgia about Hassan, turns to Sohrab and after asking if he wants him to run the kite for Sohrab, tells him "For you, a thousand times over" (371). This quote symbolizes that Amir has now completed his apology to Hassan and feels redeemed and free of guilt -
Amir takes Sohrab kite running
Though they are in the US, Amir and his family are still immersed in an Afgan community. Amir takes Sohrab kite running after catching sight of a kite comptetion. Sohrab ends up winning and being the last kite in the sky. Amir, filled with nostalgia about Hassan, turns to Sohrab and after asking if he wants him to run the kite for Sohrab, tells him "For you, a thousand times over" (371). This quote symbolizes that Amir has now completed his apology to Hassan and feels redeemed and free of guilt -
President Obama reveals plan for Afghanistan operation
On December 1, 2009, President Obama presented a speech which "...announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops" (4) in Afghanistan. He also promised to "start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011..." (4). -
Gerneral McChrystal remvoed from Afghanistan operation
In June 2010, President Obama "remvoed Gen. McChrystal after contemptuous quotes from the general and his staff about seniour administration officials apperaed in an articlein Rolling Stone magazine" (4).