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Baba was born
During the year of 1933 was "the year Baba was born and the year Zahir Shah began his forty-year reign of Afghanistan" (Hosseini 24). This is the start to the entire story. This shows how Baba is born different then Amir, possibly because of the time period. -
Hassan's birth
Hassan was born in 1964, "in that a small shack that [she], Sanaubar gave birth to him" (Hosseini 6). This is a significant part of the story because later in the story we learn how Baba is also Hassans father. Which makes this the day that Baba's second son is born. -
The grass soccer fields
During the 1970's, "the playing field grass had been, when baba used to bring me to soccer games here" (Hosseini 268). This shows large significance because it shows the how much Kabul has changed since Amir's childhood. Because now the field is seen as gross, with holes in it. -
Amir feeling superior to Hassan
On this significant day, "[Amir] played another little trick on Hassan, [he] was reading to him, and suddenly [he] strayed from the text all together" (Hosseini 30). This is a significant part of the story because it introduces how Amir feels superior to Hassan. When Amir called Hassan oblivious, it represented how Amir feels that his intelligence puts Amir superior to Hassan. -
Shots fired in Kabul
On the night of July 17th, 1973, Amir recalls, "crouching that next morning outside my father's study" (Hosseini 37). This night shows significance because of two reasons, firstly it shows how the beginning of the war was starting. And it also represented that Ali would always be there for Amir as he was there to protect Amir during the shooting. -
Hassans birthday present
On the significant day in 1974, "I had huddled around Hassan's bed, watched him examine his new lip in a handheld mirror" (Hosseini 219). This was a significant day because it showed Amir's jealousy of Hassan when Baba was giving most of his attention to Hassan. Which made Amir more guilty when he discovered that Baba was also Hassans blood father. -
The Winter of 1975
Amir sadly states, "I saw Hassan run a kite for the last time" (Hosseini 55). The kite running tournament was the biggest tournament of the year for Amir and Hassan. Amir won the tournament this year, influencing the rest of his life in a negative way. -
Assef rapes Hassan
During the Winter of 1975 the most horrific moment of Amirs life occurred, "I was weeping. From just around the corner, I could hear Assef's quick, rhythmic grunts" (Hosseini 77). This was the moment that changed Hassan and Amir's life forever, as their friendship was never the same. It kept haunting Amir for decades after. -
The Summer of 1976
During this eventful summer Amir describes it as, "Afghanistans next to last summer of peace and anonymity" (Hossieni 93). This summer is when Amir began to ruin his chances of forgiveness from Hassan. This is the summer that Amir ends his bonds with Hassan and Ali. -
Period: to
Kite Runner & History of Afghanistan
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Period: to
The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
After Kamal became president of the Soviet's invaded Afghanistan in an attempt to aid the communist government of Afghanistan in its battle against anticommunist Muslim guerrillas. This war is known as the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. -
The first soviet troops parachuted into Kabul
On December 27th of 1979, "The first soviet troops parachuted into Kabul... to assist Babrak Karmal who had become president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership" (The New York Times). -
The road to Jalalabad
This significant bus ride where, "my innards had been roiling since we'd left Kabul just after two in the morning" (Hosseini 110). This is significant because this affected Baba and Amir's relationship. After Baba saw Amir's weakness, Baba's embarrassment made Amir feel unwanted and bad about himself. -
Kamal's death
Kamal's sudden death led his father to, "shoved the barrel in his own mouth. I'll never forget the echo of the blast" (Hosseini 124). Because Kamal was one of the three men to rape Hassan, this shows that his actions came back to haunt him in the future. Which brought attention to Amir showing to Amir that he must atone for his sins. -
Amir went to Hazarajat
During the year of 1986, Amir stated, "there were a lot of reasons why I went to Hazarajat to find Hassan" (Hossieni 203). Through Amir's actions to find Hassan, it can be inferred that Amir finally feels he is ready to atone for his sins. This further shows the growth in Amir's character from the beginning of the novel to the end. -
Soviet Air Force
Interestingly, "After 1986, the Soviet Air Force was also rendered largely useless by advanced Stinger antiaircraft missiles that supplied by the United States to the rebels" (The New York Times). -
Last Soviet troops left Afghanistan
After many peace talks through the United Nations, "the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan ... in what was in effect a unilateral withdrawal" (The New York Times). -
Power Divided
Interestingly, "power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms" (The New York Times). -
Taliban taken control of Afghanistan
Sadly, "the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan" (The New York Times). -
Amir finds out that Rahim Kahn is sick
It was the dreadful month of June when Amir heard heartbreaking news, "'Rahim Kahn is very sick.' A fist clenched inside me with those words" (Hossieni 191). This almost sent the feeling through Amir that all of his loved ones are passing away. Which left Amir looking heartbroken through is paleness. -
Amir understanding himself
The book comes to an end on the year 2001, "I became who I am today at the age of twelve" (Hosseini 1). Through starting the novel off in this way, it is showing that Amir is understood himself finally in 2001. This leaves Amir filled with regret. -
Taliban given an ultimatum to hand over
President George W. Bush in 2001, "gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden" (The New York Times). -
Mohammad Zahir Shah became president
Mohammad Zahir Shah, "took office as interim president in June 2002, saying he hopes to secure peace for Afghanistan" (The New York Times). -
Iraq commander takes charge of United States
In October 2008, General Petraeus... had taken charge of United States Central Command" (The New York Times). -
President Obama removed Gen. McChrystal
Because of contemptuous quotes, "President Obama removed Gen. McChrystal after contemptuous quotes from the general and his staff" (The New York Times). -
Vow to start bringing American Forces home
During the middle of 2011, "he vowed to start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan... saying the United Staes could not afford and should not have to shoulder and open-ended commitment" (The New York Times).