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Afghanistan History
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Amir and Hassan win the annual kite contest
When Amir's kite is the last standing, Hassan chants "you won, Amir agha! You won!" (Hosseini 66). This is the peak of Amir and Hassan's childhood, as they have just won the contest that they wait the whole year for. Excitement fills their body as they watch the blue kite soar. -
Hassan is raped by Assef
On the same day as the kite contest, Amir watches Hassan get abused and in retrospect thinks "I opened my mouth, almost said something...the rest of my life might have turned out differently if I had" (Hosseini 73). Amir watches Hassan get abused and instead of doing something, stays out of the way. This changes his entire life, as he doesn't stand up for his best friend, the one person who stood by him. Amir regrets this for his entire life. -
Period: to
Kite Runner Events
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Mohammed Khan creates new constitution emphasizing women rights and forcing out opponents
In a PBS article, the author states that "Khan proposes a new constitution that grants women rights... he also cracks down on opponents" (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/) -
Ali and Hassan leave Baba's house
After Amir and Hassan have become distant, Amir frames him for stealing, as he explains "I lifted Hassan's Mattress and planted my new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under it" (Hosseini 104). Amir wants Hassan gone for one reason or another, so he frames him for stealing. When asked, Hassan says he did steal the watch and money, because he had realized what happened. Ali and Hassan then leave the house forever. -
Khan murdered in a coup by communists
In a PBS article, the author states that "Khan is killed...Nur Mohammad Taraki..takes control of the country as president" (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/) -
Baba and Amir leave Afghanistan
When the Russians invaded, Amir feels a sense of fear as they are "smuggled to Pakistan, as he thinks "my innards had been roiling since we'd left Kabul" (Hosseini 110). When the Russians invaded, Amir and Baba had to leave, and Amir was reluctant. He did not want to leave his hometown in Kabul, but was forced to by Baba. This is the start of a new life for Amir and Baba -
Amir and Baba move to Fremont, California
After Amir and Baba moved, they had trouble getting adjusted at first, as Baba had "smog sting his eyes...traffic noise gave him headaches" (Hosseini 126). With all the corruption in Afghanistan, the father and son move out to the Bay Area. At first, life is new and rough, but Amir and Baba settle in. -
Amir graduates from his High School in Fremont
In 1983, Amir had prepared to start his tenure in college, as he had just "graduated from high school at the age of twenty" (Hosseini 131). His Afghan life long gone, Amir is now preparing for college. This begins the next chapter of his life. -
Amir talks to Soraya for the first time
At a flea market, Amir is right in front of Soraya and mumbles "Salaam...I'm sorry to be mozahem, I didn't mean to disturb you" (Hosseini 145). Amir finally talks to Soraya for the first time, and their conversation is short and awkward. This is the start of Amir's important relation ship with Soraya -
Amir and Soraya get married
When the two get married, general Taheri announces to Baba "we are honored to welcome the son of a man such as yourself into our family" (Hosseini 168). They had to get married very soon after engagement because Baba's days were numbered. Amir and Soraya are married and general Taheri is honored because of this. -
Osama Bin Laden visits Afghanistan for the first time
In a PBS article, the author states that "Saudi Islamist Osama bin Laden makes his first documented trip to Afghanistan to aid anti-Soviet fighters." (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/) -
Baba dies
When Baba did not take the morphine, saying "no pain tonight", he died that night. Amir recalls "she pulled up his blanket. We closed the door. Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). Whether he really felt no pain or wanted to be put out of misery, Baba is gone. For Amir, he has lost a family member, but Baba must have been relieved. Later in the book, it is discovered that Baba had gone through the same guilt Amir was going through. -
Amir's first book is published
Amir had just finished his novel, using personal experience, he recalls in retrospect "I finished my first novel" (182) -
Najibullah out of power, raided by rebels
In a PBS article, the author states that "The Mujahdeen and other rebel groups, with the aid of turncoat government troops, storm the capital, Kabul, and oust Najibullah out of power." (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/) -
Taliban takes over
In a PBS article, the author states that "Taliban...rises to power...most afghans...approve of the Taliban for upholding traditional Islamic values" (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan/).qw -
Najibullah dies from Taliban
On Najibullah's biography page, it explains that "when the Taliban militia took over the capital, Kabul, in 1996, they summarily executed Najibullah" (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mohammad-Najibullah). -
9/11 bombing
In a history article, the author writes "On September 11, 2001, 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four airliners and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States" (http://www.history.com/topics/9-11-attacks). -
Amir goes back to Afghanistan to see Rahim Khan
When Amir comes back to Afghanistan, Rahim Khan tells him that he is dying and Khan says "Dying...I don't think I'll see the end of this summer" (Hosseini 201). Khan may die soon, and Amir wanted to see him again. They also discuss the Taliban and Hassan's son. -
Amir offers to adopt Sohrab
When Amir and Sohrab started bonding, Amir asked "would you like to come live in America with me and my wife? (Hosseini 320). Sohrab then got very emotional. At this point Sohrab is confused and conflicted. -
Sohrab bleeds in the bathtub and is rushed to the hospital
After Amir found out about his news that Sohrab could come, he saw Sohrab bleeding and then in retrospect explains "I was on my knees, screaming" (Hosseini 343). Sohrab was scared and almost killed himself because of this. Seeing this, Amir is devastated, thus on his knees. -
Taliban ends
After 9/11, the Taliban retreated, and then, the author claims "a U.S.-led invasion toppled the regime for providing refuge to al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden" (http://www.cfr.org/afghanistan/taliban-afghanistan/p10551). -
Amir and Sohrab fly a kite together
Both in the U.S, Amir and Sohrab bond close by flying a kite, Sohrab loves it, and Amir says "Your father wasn't chasing any shadows. He just...knew" (Hosseini 368). Amir is telling Sohrab that Hassan was the best kite runner. This is the peak, where Sohrab can relate. -
Sohrab smiles for the first time
When they are flying kites, Amir notices "one corner of his mouth had curled up just so. A smile" (Hosseini 370). This is the end of the story. Finally, Sohrab smiles. This is Amir's way of repaying his dues to Hassan. -
Karzai is elected
The author of a New York Times article explains "President Hamid Karzai was formally declared the winner of the Oct. 9 presidential election by Afghanistan's electoral board on Wednesday" (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/04/world/asia/election-of-karzai-is-declared-official.html?_r=0). -
Osama bin Laden killed
A historical article claims that "Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, is killed by U.S. forces during a raid on his compound hideout in Pakistan" (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/osama-bin-laden-killed-by-u-s-forces).