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Pashtun Kings and Tajiks Ruled Afghanistan
ATSS
This event is mentioned in the book but the date is unknown. In the book, When Laila had dinner with Tariq's parents, they talked about the Pashtun Kings and Tajiks ruling Afghanistan. On page 117, Babi talks about tenison between their people. The Tajiks, the minority, and the Pashtun kings. The Pashtun kings had ruled the country for almost 250 years at the time. Whereas, the Tajiks only for 9 months. -
Mariam was Born
In the book, it mentions that Mariam was born around the spring time. -
Mohammed Daoud Khan becomes King
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King Zahir Shah was Overthrown
ATSS
Mohammad Zahir Shah was born on October 15th, 1914. He died on July 23th of 1973. One of many of his accomplishments included that fact that he made an era of stable government for his country. The book stated that King Zahir Shah was overthrown by Daud Khan and went into exile in Italy. -
Rasheed Married Mariam
In Chapter 8 of the book, Mariam marries Rasheed because she is forced to. Mariam is only 15 at this time and Rasheed is 45. Jalil and his wives force Mariam to move out of the house after Nana died and move to Kabul with Rasheed as his wife. During the wedding, she was hesitant to marry Rasheed given that she wouldn't answer the priest when he asked her to say "I do" and Jalil had to say it for her. Rasheed's first wife was deceased and Mariam became his second wife. -
Laila was Born
In the book, at the end of Part 1, Laila was born to Fariba and Hakim, Mariam's neighbors. They also had two other boys, Ahmad and Noor. Though a date wasn't given, the book stated it was around April. -
Mir Akbar Khyber was Murdered
ATSS
On page 98 the death of Mir Akbar Khyber is told. Readers learn that the homicide led to chaos & fuss in Kabul. Also the blame for the death is undetermined. Turns out he was an editor for Parcham Newspaper. -
Ahmad and Noor Join the War
In 1980, Ahmad and Noor was drafted in the war between the Jihadis and the Soviets. They joined the Jihadis to protect their family, community and lifestyles in their father's place. The date was given but the year was. -
Jahlil Dies
In the book on page 311, through Laila's eyes, readers find out the Jalil attempts to visit Mariam before he dies. Mariam refused to see her father. Later, we find out that Jalil wrote Mariam a letter and gave it to Mullah Faizullah to keep. Mariam finds out Jalil is dead when she visits the hotel in hopes to ask Jalil for money. -
Soviets and Afghanistan Sign a Treaty
ATSS On page 153, it is revealed that the Soviets and Afghanistan signed a treaty ordering withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan. In exchange, the United States agreed to end its support for anti-Soviet factions. Also Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed not to interfere in each other’s affairs. -
Laila Marries Rasheed
Though readers don't quite know when the marriage started, we know it was some time during 1992. Laila was Rasheed's thrid wife. She glady agreed to the marriage after her parents were killed. -
Republic of Russia was Born
On page 159, the republic of Russia was developed. -
Communists Regimes in Afghanistan were Defeated
ATSS
On page 159, Communists Regimes in Afghanistan were finally defeated. Celebrations in the streets of Kabul were done immediately following this. Of couarse the celebration didn't last for long because a greater storm was approaching. -
Giti was Killed by a Bomb
On page 178, readers find out that Giti, one of Laila's closest friends, was killed by a rocket in the midst the war and fighting. After Giti passed, Giti's parents moved out of Kabul. -
Tariq Leaves Kabul
On page 180 of the book, Tariq tells Laila that he is leaving Kabul in hopes for a better life for his family. -
Aziza was Born
On page 235, Aziza, Laila's daughter was born. Aziza was also the daughter of Tariq instead of Rasheed's. Aziza was Laila's first born. -
Laila and Mariam Try to Leave Kabul
On one spring morning, Laila and Mariam tried to flee and escape Kabul, but it was against the law for women to travel without an male accompaniment. They asked a nearby kind-looking stranger if he would but them a ticket to Pakistan. He agreed but instead of buying their tickets, he reported them and they were arrested. Rasheed had to pick them up from the police station. This event resulted in abuse when they returned home. -
Taliban rose to power
ATSS The Taliban cracked down on crime, and curtail the education and employment of women. Women are required to be fully veiled and are not allowed outside alone. Islamic law is enforced via public executions and amputations. The United States refuses to recognize the authority of the Taliban. In the book, the laws were presented in Chapter 37. -
Taliban Arrives
On page 273, the Taliban arrived in Kabul. They enforced all kinds of rules, especially for women. They banned televisions and raided homes in search for them. They also made public executions and turned Ghazi Stadiums a coliseum for public excutions. -
Laila has Zalmai
On page 287, Laila gave birth to a baby boy named Zalmai. He was Rasheed's son and Rasheed flowered him with gifts. Rasheed even got Zalmai a television though they were forbidden. -
Rasheed's Shop Catches on Fire
In the late summer of 2000, Rasheed's shoe store caught on fire. This happens on page 304 of the book. This is an huge problem because now they do not have any income coming in and are forced deeper and deeper into poverty and starvation. -
Mariam Dies
Mariam was sent to prison for killing Rasheed with a shovel. The book doesn't give a specific year for Mariam's death. She only spent 10 days in jail where she met a friend, Naghma. Mariam died so that Laila could continue her life with her kids and run away to Murree with Tariq. -
Aziza is Sent to the Orphanage
On page 312, Aziza was sent to an orphanage ran by a man named Zaman. Rasheed told Laila to send her to an orphanage after he bought Zalmai a television which put them into great debt. Rasheed told Laila that they couldn't care for Aziza anymore. He also told Laila that he would accompany her during the visits to the orphanage but didn't. Laila was beat many times because she visited Aziza without Rasheed. -
Tariq returns to Kabul
Tariq cames back to Kabul for Laila. Afterall, Tariq wasn't dead like the doorman hired by Rasheed said he was. Tariq wants Laila and the kids to leave with him. Tariq was in prison due to smuggling for seven years and now is a handyman at a hotel. He also can't wait to meet his daughter, Aziza. -
Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban Attacks America
On Tuesday, September 11th, the World Trade Center Twin Towers were targeted and struct by aircrafts. This event involved suicide attacks and many injured and even killed. America dreads this day and made it their mission to kill whom ever responsible for this order, which in the case was Osama Bin Laden.
