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Baba is born and Zahir Shah begins reign of Afghanistan
Baba was born in "1933... the year Zahir Shah began his forty-year reign of Afghanistan"(24). This quote shows that Baba experienced all of Zahir's reign. This means that he has past experiences to base his new experiences, such as leaving his country, on which means that he is affected more strongly than a younger generation. -
Amir is born
Amir says that he was born one year before Hassan, writing,"Hassan was born in the winter of 1964, just one year after my mother died giving birth to me."(6) This means that they grew up together as if they where brothers. This is why they are so close to each other. -
Hassan is born
Amir mentions that Hassan was born in "the winter of 1964, just one year after my mother died giving birth to me."(6). This means that Hassan is younger than Amir, which may be why he looks up to him so much. The death of Amir's mother also means that Hassan was raised with Amir by the same person. -
Amir wins the kite competition
Looking back on his life, Amir says,"the winter of 1975 came along, and changed everything."(2). That winter was the winter in which Amir won his first kite competition. This resulted in a better relationship with Baba, and a weaker relationship with Hassan, which then dictates the rest of the story. -
Hassan is violated by Assef.
Amir shows that somthing happened to Hassan, by saying "in the winter of 1975, I saw Hassan run a kite for the last time."(55). There where only really two significant events in that winter, the kite competition and Hassan's rape. This means that the actions of Assef against Hassan was the life changing event that Amir mentions in this quote. -
Amir's 13 birthday party
Amir turns "thirteen that summer of 1976"(93). This event is important because it is when Amir starts to plan a way to make Hassan leave. It also creates more conflict between him and Assef. -
Soviet Troops Invade Afghanistan
In order to assist the new president, "the first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979." (2) -
Baba and Amir leave Afghanistan
When Baba confronts a Russian soldier on the ride out of the country, Amir thinks to himself " Do you always have to be the hero?"(115). This emphasizes Baba's courage and shows Amir how strong his father is. It also is really the last heroic deed that Baba does in his life. -
Amir graduates highschool.
Amir says he graduates highschool in the "summer of 1983"(131). The graduation marks an important point in his life, as it is one of the only times that Baba is really proud of Amir. This also marks Amir's transition into an adult, and the beginning of a shift of power from Baba to Amir. -
Amir meets Soraya
Amir meets Soraya in "the summer of 1984"(136) which is the day he and Baba start going to the flea market. The flea market is important in that it allowed Amir to meet people he would never had met. By meeting Soraya, Amir was opened up to a new world, and his thoughts were now focused on different things. -
Ali dies from a land mine
Rahim Khan tells Amir about Hassan after Amir left and mentions that " Ali... had been killed by a land mine."(206). This further emphasizes how broken up the original family is, with both Baba and Ali dead. This is also strange because, as Rahim Khan said, it must have been Ali's polio leg that stepped on the mine. -
Amir marries Soraya.
Amir's marriage to Soraya is a milestone in his life, and it is because of it that he "discovered the tenderness of a woman."(171). This means that it is a new experience for Amir and it marks the moment that now Amir has the power, and he is independent. This means that Baba can no longer control everything he does. -
US gives rebels Stinger antiaircraft missles.
The US helps trys to help Afghanistan and, "after 1986, the Soviet Air Force was also rendered largely useless by advanced Stinger antiaircraftmissles supplied by the United States to the rebels." (2) -
Baba's Death
Just before he dies, Baba says"there is no pain tonight"(173). This quote shows how Baba accepted his death, and it also emphasizes his character of bravery. The death of Baba makes Amir completely independent, and he is no long living in Baba's shadow. -
Sanuabar returns
One important moment in Hassan's life is when Sanuabar returns in "early 1990"(209). The reason why this is important is because it shows that Sanuabar wants to atone for her sins. It also emphasizes Hassan's capacity to forgive. -
Sohrab is born
A turning point in Hassan's life is when Sohrab was born in the "winter of 1990."(211). The significance of this is that now Amir knows that he has a chance to atone, even though Hassan is dead. Sohrab is also in a way, Hassan's legacy, because of his resemblance. -
The Taliban starts to gain popularity
People like what he is doing, and "By the end of 1994 Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers" (2) -
Osama bin Laden Arrives in Afghanistan
In addition to making new stricter rules, "The Taliban also provided a safe haven for Mr. bin Laden, who arrived by chartered jey at Jalalabad Airport in May 1996"(3) -
Taliban takes control of Afghanistan
Due to their popularity, and the support of Pakistan, "the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan"(3) -
US forces invade Afghanistan in order to capture bin Laden
Due to the attack on the World Trade Center, " an air and ground campaign began that drove the Taliban out of the major Afghan cities by the end of the year."(3) -
Hamid Karzai is made leader of Afghanistan
After driving out the Taliban, "in December 2001" a supporter of the exiled former king, "Hamid Karzai... was named chairman...making him the leader of the country."(3) -
Sohrab Flys a kite and Amir runs it for him
When Sohrab wins the kite competition, Amir runs the kite for him saying "For you, a thousand times over" (371). This is important becuase it is the first time Sohrab smiles since he tried to kill himself. It is also significant in that Amir now fully feels like he atoned for his sins. -
Karzai is elected as President
Due to his promises and hopes to help the country recover, "Mr. Karzai was elected to a five-year term as president in 2004."(3) -
Petraeus takes charge of US Central Command
Due to his important role in Iraq, General Petraeus "[takes] charge of United States Central Command in October 2008."(4) -
Obama vows to bring troops back.
As a result of the war's heavy toll on the country, Obama "vowed to start bringing forces home"(4)