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Baba and Ali Grow up Together
Two men ran over Ali's parents when Ali was five years old. After this incident, Baba's family adopted Ali into theirs. However, this did not mean that Baba or anyone else for that matter thought of him and Ali as equals, "... none of his stories did Baba ever refer to Ali as his friend" (25). Baba and Ali grew up and did everything together. But, that did not change the fact that Ali was a Hazara, and Hazaras were though of as second class citizens. -
Hassan Fixes His Lip
Hassans cleft lip was fixed and it was an extremely significant occasion. When Hassan first got his lip fixed everyone, "... had huddled around Hassan's bed, [and] watched him examine his new lip in a handheld mirror" (219). Hassan getting his lip fixed symbolizes his rise out of poverty and Baba accepting him more by giving him this gift. -
Hassan Gets Raped
While this unfortunate event is occurring Amir is thinking that he, "Could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan-the way he stood up for me all those times in the past... " (77). Hassan was experiencing this horrible occurrence, and at the same time Amir was contemplating whether or not he should step in. Ultimately, he does not decide to help Hassan. This results in Amir beginning to resent Hassan for most of his life. -
Amir Wins the Kite Fighting Contest
Kite fighting is extremely important in Afghanistan and to Baba. When Amir won the kite fighting contest, he yelled, "'We won! We won!' was all I could say" (66). It is significantly honorable to win the kite fighting contest, and when Amir won he was overwhelmed with joy. -
Soviet Union Invades Afghanistan
Since the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 it has had little known peace. This country has become a scene for military struggle for the United States, as American forces try to help their weak and corrupt government. -
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Afghanistan from 1979-2014
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The First Troops Arrive
The first troops arrive in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital, to assist Babarak Karmal who became president from a coup. The Soviets engineered the coup as a pretext to replace the previous Afghan leader because he lost their trust. -
Baba and Amir Move to America
Baba takes Amir from Kabul, Afghanistan and they both move together to Fremont California. Since their lifestyle in Afghanistan was drastically changed "Baba loved the idea of America" (125). Baba was a very manly guy, and he considered America to be a military powerhouse. -
Baba Dies
Baba is sick and Soraya and Amir have been taking care of him. However one night Baba goes to sleep and "Baba never [wakes] up" (173). Unfortunately Baba's time came and he eventually passed away. -
Amir and Soraya Get Married
Amir and Soraya finally elope. Amir and Soraya were not aloud to "... [go] out alone together while preparations for the wedding proceeded" (169). They are following traditional Afghan procedures before his wedding. -
Amir Graduates High School
Amir finally receives a sufficient education by finishing high school. Amir gains his diploma and "...[he] graduated from high school at the age of twenty" (131). This marks an important point in his life where he has been through more school than a lot of the other kids in Afghanistan. -
Last Soviet Troops Leave Afghanistan
After peace talks moderated by the United Nations the last troops left in a unilateral withdrawal. -
Farzana Gives Birth for the First Time
Farzana goes into labor, but instead of a heathy baby being born, a stillborn is born. It is a baby girl. "Hassan kissed the baby's lifeless face, and we buried her in the backyard, near the sweetbrier bushes" (209). Unfortunately, their baby is dead before it reaches the world. -
Farzana Gives Birth for the Second Time
Sohrab is born and "It was Sanaubar who delivered Hassan's son that winter of 1990" (211).Farzana and Hassan finally successfully have their first child together that they can raise. It was an important day for Hassan's family. -
Mullah Omar
Omar had nearly 12,000 followers. -
Help from Pakistani Officers
Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money, and supplies to Omar's men. As well as military advisers to help guide them in battle. -
Taliban Taking Control
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan imposing strict enforcement of fundamental Islamic law. They banned movies, music, also they forces women out of school, and made them wear burquas. -
Hassan Dies
The Taliban heard about a Hazara family that was living in Wazir Akbar Khan. They came to Hassan and his family, and proceeded to accuse of him lying. Finally, when they asked him to kneel they, "... shot him in the back of the head" (219). Just because the Talibs heard of a Hazara family living in a big house they automatically assumed that something suspicious was occurring. -
Sohrab Attempts Suicide
When Sohrab gets the news from Amir that he has to live in an orphanage for a little while, before he can stay with Amir, he tries to kill himself. Sohrab goes into the bathroom and slits his wrists, when Amir finds him he sees, "... the blood soaked razor sitting on the toilet tank-and his eyes, still half open but lightless" (348). Sohrab would rather kill himself then go to an Afgan orphanage again. -
A New Chairmen
Hamid Karzai Shah, the exiled former king of Afghanistan, was named chairman of a government that replaced the Taliban.A -
Sohrab Smiles at Amir
Sohrab smiles at Amir which gives Amir a sense of reassurance. Amir does Hassans signature kite trick perfectly and Sohrab smiles he, "blinked and the smile was gone. But it had been there. [he] had seen it" (371). Some of Amir's worries are put at rest now that Sohrab gave him his encouraging smile. -
Assef beats up Amir
When Assef sees Amir for the first time in a while he starts beating him up. Amir was was laughing while Assef was fighting him, "And the harder I laughed, the harder he kicked me, punched me, scratched me" (289). Assef wanted Amir to feel pain so he could derive enjoyment from that. However, Amir was doing the opposite so Assef could not get the satisfaction. -
Sohrab Hits Assef in the Eye
Sohrab is very skillful with a slingshot because Hassan taught him how to use one before he died. "The slingshot made a thwiiiiit sound when Sohrab released the cup. Then Assef was screaming. He put his hand where his left eye had been moments ago" (291). Assef was seriously injuring Amir, and Sohrab continuously asked him to stop. He did not stop so Sohrab shot a brass ball at Assef. -
9/11
The attack on the World Trade Center by Al Qaeda. -
Obama's Plan
President Barack Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops. -
Gen's Removal
In 2010 Gen McChrystal was removed by President Obama.