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Bombs and Gunfire Riddle Kabul
Amir And Hassan are talking when they Hear gunfire. "Something roared like thunder. The earth shook a little and we heard the rat-a-tat-tat of gunfire."(Hosseini 35) This is the moment where life in Afghanistan changes for Amir. Afghanistan will never be the safe, happy place that he loved. -
Hassan Gets raped after kite flying competition
After the kite flying competition, Assef approaches Hassan. He then says many racist remarks about Hassan, calling him a "dirty donkey", since he is a Hazara. Assef then proceeds to rape him, as he "Knelt behind Hassan, puts his hands on Hassan's hips and lifted his bare buttocks."(Hosseini 75) After Hassan's rape, life will never be the same. Amir and Hassan's relationship is changed, as Amir feels immense regret for not trying to save him from getting raped. Hassan and Ali leave in disgrace. -
Mohammed Daoud Khan proposes new constitution which modernizes country, grants women rights
In 1975, khan "proposes a new constitution that grants women rights and works to modernize the largely communist state." (PBS) He also forces his opponents out of Afghanistan. -
Period: to
The Kite Runner timespan
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Amir celebrates 13th birthday
Amir celebrates his 13th birthday with a huge party thrown by Baba. over 200 people show up, one of them being Assef. There is obviously extreme tension between them, because of the rape. "Happy Birthday Amir. It was Assef." This is a very awkward situation for Amir, because Baba has personally invited Assef, not knowing about the rape. This evokes anger, guilt and fear out of Amir, as he hates and fears Assef, but also feels immense guilt for not doing anything to avoid Hassan getting raped. -
Hassan and Ali leave
Shortly after Amir's 13th birthday, Ali and Baba find out about the rape. Ali, in shock, declares that he and Hassan can no longer live with the Khan's. "We are leaving, Agha Sahib, Ali said. What? Baba said, the color draining from his face. We can't live here anymore, Ali said." (Hosseini 106) This marks a major change in the story, because Amir has just lost his best friend, and Baba has lost a great servant and friend as well. -
Mohammed Daoud Khan is killed in communist coup, Nur Mohammad Taraki takes over as president
In 1978 Khan is killed in a communist coup. Nur Mohammad Taraki, part of the Afghan Communist Party, takes over as president. He and his deputy prime minister Barbrak Karmal "proclaim independence from Soviet influence, and declare their policies to be based on Islamic principles, Afghan nationalism and socioeconomic justice." (PBS) -
United States cuts off assistance to Afghanistan
After U.S. ambassador Adolf Dubs is killed the U.S. "cuts off assistance to Afghanistan." (PBS) A power struggle between Taraki and his deputy prime minister, Hafizullah Amin, ensues. -
USSR invades Afghanistan
On December 24, 1979, the Soviet Union invades Afghanistan to bolster "Faltering communist regime."(PBS) Rebels against regime are brutally executed. Protests from average citizens turn violent. -
Baba and Amir leave Afghanistan
Baba decides that he and Amir should leave Afghanistan, as it is getting too dangerous. Amir gets quite car sick on the ride out of The country, having to stop on the side of the road and throw up. "Standing on the shoulder of the road, I thought of the way we'd left the house where i'd lived my entire life." (Hosseini 112) This shows that Amir is still in shock that they are leaving Afghanistan, the only place he's ever known. He knows he might never see his homeland again. -
Afghan citizens flee from war
Afghan's are leaving the country because of the soviet invasion. "Some 2.8 million Afghans have fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran. Afghan guerrillas gain control of rural areas, and Soviet troops hold urban areas." (PBS) -
Baba and Amir arrive in Fremont, California
Baba and Amir arrive in the U.S. in Fremont.There is some struggle for them as they adjust to life in the U.S. This is shown when Baba tries to buy some oranges. Baba has written a check for them and is asked by the store owners to show his I.D. Baba goes irate when he hears this. "He wants to see my license! Baba bellowed. Baba, its not personal I said, They're supposed to ask for and I.D." Life is different in the U.S. compared to Afghanistan. Baba wouldn't have had to do that in Afghanistan -
Amir Graduates High School
Amir graduates High School in the summer of 1983. After the ceremony he finds Baba. Baba is very happy and proud, as "His eyes gleamed when he said that and I liked being on the receiving end of that look." (Hosseini 131) Amir's High School graduation is one of the most important moments in the story because it symbolizes Amir's coming of age. Amir has grown up, and has become the "man" Baba wanted him to be in Afghanistan. -
Amir Gets Married
Amir gets married to Soraya, a girl who he met at the flea market. Amir has never cared for someone so much. During the wedding, he shares his true feelings for her, as "looking at Soraya's smiling face in that mirror, I whispered to her for the first time that I loved her." (Hosseini 171) This is the beginning of a new stage of life for Amir, as he is now the man of a household. This is also around when Baba is deteriorating, so he now has to take of Baba as well. -
Baba Dies
After a night a of partying, Soraya and Amir Help a weak, dying Baba into bed. Soraya offers to get Baba his medicine, and he says that "There is no pain tonight." (Hosseini 173) Baba would never wake up, as he died that night. With Baba dead Amir is now on his own with Soraya. It must be a weird feeling for Amir that he no longer has Baba with him, as he has been with Amir for basically his whole life. -
al-Qaida is formed
Osama Bin Laden and a group of islamists form al-Qaida, a group to "continue their jihad, or holy war, against the Soviets and others who oppose their beliefs."(PBS) These beliefs were beliefs that Afghanistan should be a pure Islamic state. -
Afghanistan gains independence
The Soviet Union, U.S., Pakistan, and Afghanistan sign piece accords, "Guaranteeing Afghan independence and the withdrawal of 100,00 Soviet troops."(PBS) Also, Afghan guerrillas name Sibhatullah Mojadidi as their leader. -
Rebel Groups storm the capital
Rebel groups, including the Mujahadeen, storm the capital and "oust Mohammed Najibullah from power."(PBS) This attack, led by Ahmed Shah Masood, was successful, as it turned Afghanistan from a communist-based regime, into an Islamic one. -
The Taliban rises to power
Afghans, tired of years of war, drought and famine, turn to the newly formed Islamic based militia, the Taliban, as "they rise to power on promises of peace."(PBS) The Taliban rule with an iron fist, outlawing the growing of poppies for opium, and stripping almost all women's rights, as they can not get educated and cannot leave their house unless fully veiled. -
Hassan and Farzana are Killed by the Taliban
Rahim Khan is getting very old and cannot take care of Baba's house on his own. Hassan and Faranza agree to help him. They live in the hut behind his house, and create a good life for themselves. Then the Taliban invade the property and order Hassan and Farzana out of the house. When the refuse, the talib's take Hassan outside "And shot him in the back of the head" (Hosseini 219) Faranza comes out attacking them and she gets shot as well. Learning this makes Amir feel distraught and sad. -
Amir Goes to Pakistan to visit Rahim Khan
In June, 2001, Amir receives information that his old friend Rahim Khan is very ill. Amir decides to travel to Pakistan to visit him. When he finally meets up with him Amir notes that there is an "elephant in the room" (Hosseini 197) as it is clear that Rahim Khan is on his last limbs. This begins the journey of Amir reliving his past, as he will end up getting into alot more than he wishes. -
Amir finds Sohrab
Amir looks all over Kabul for Hassan and finally finds him in the hands of the Taliban, living in one of their houses. When they bring him out, Amir notices that he is wearing makeup, as his eyes are "darkened with mascara, and his cheeks glowed with an unnatural red." (Hosseini 279) Amir then comes to find out that Sohrab is being used as a sex slave. If Amir can save Sohrab, he will redeem himself for when he let Hassan get raped. -
Amir goes Kabul to find Sohrab
After talking with Rahim Khan, Amir decides to go into Kabul to try to find Hassan's orphaned son, Sohrab. Amir knows that this mission is very dangerous, he knows he risks losing his "wife in America, a home, a career, and a family." (Hosseini 226) Amir knows of the risks, but he must do it for Hassan. For Amir, finding Sohrab is almost like his redemption for letting Hassan get raped. -
Sohrab Shoots Assef with his Slingshot
In order to take Sohrab, Amir must fight Assef. Amir is being beaten badly, andhe feels that this beating he is taking from Assef is what he deserves for letting Assef rape Hassan. This makes Amir feel at peace. Sohrab, who is watching the fight take place, tells Assef to stop, and then points his slingshot at him and fires. "The slingshot made a thwiiiit sound when Sohrab released the cup." (Hosseini 291) The slingshot hits Assef in the eye, which allows Sohrab and amir to escape. -
U.S. launch missiles on the Taliban
Following the September 11 attacks and unanswered requests that the Taliban hand over Osama Bin Laden, the main suspect in the attacks, The U.S. and Britain "Launch airstrikes against targets in Afghanistan."(PBS) The U.S. would begin to bomb specific Taliban sites, dropping them out of airplanes, soon after. -
Sohrab and Amir Run a Kite in San Francisco
At an Afghan New Year's Day Festival in San Francisco, Amir offers to fly a kite with Sohrab. Sohrab doesn't respond to him, so Amir starts to fly it on his own. Then he notices Sohrab standing next to him and offers it to him once again. This time Sohrab takes it and he starts to fly it. Amir notices that "His face was a little flushed, His eyes suddenly alert." (Hosseini 369) This event ties the story together nicely, as Amir loved to run kites with Hassan, and now he is running with Sohrab.