Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan

By 19lees17

  • New King in Afghanistan

    Since King Zahir Shah leaves for Italy, his cousin, Daoud Khan, "had ended the king's forty-year reign with a bloodless coup"(36). This event leads up to other things happening in Afghanistan. It separates the Pashtun and the Hazaras from each other and the Taliban taking over.

  • Last Kite Tournament

    The last kite running tournament was "in the winter of 1975" and was the last time Amir saw "Hassan run a kite for the last time"(55). This was the last time Hassan runs a kite and it is very unexpected. This event leads up to Hassan getting violated as he tries to chase down Amir's kite.

  • Amir's 13th Birthday

    Amir turns 13 in the summer of '76 and Baba makes a big deal out of parties. His motto is "Invite the whole world or it's not a party"(93). He says this because he is proud that his son is growing up to become a man. Assef comes to this party and is pushing Hassan around physically and torments Amir at his own birthday party.

  • Soviets go into Kabul

    When the USSR invades Afghanistan they "parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979, to assist Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership." (pg 2 paragraph: 3)

  • Soviets in Afghanistan

    The Soviets have invaded Afghanistan and "you couldn't trust anyone in Kabul anymore--for a fee or under threat, people told on each other..."(112) The Soviets have impacted Afghanistan immensely and turned the country around completely. Baba and Amir are runaways and the people of the country are losing trust in each other and have divided into 2 different groups.

  • Amir and Baba Leave for America

    Amir and Baba leave Afghanistan because it is not safe anymore to live there. Amir explains,"Tomorrow morning...weaving through the bazaars"(113). The Soviets have taken over so it will be pointless to stay and to be injured or even dead. Amir and Baba leave for America for safety and much more opportunities.

  • Amir Graduates High School

    When Amir and Baba live in the U.S., Amir must go to school in order to excel in his writing. Amir "graduated from high school at the age of twenty, by far the oldest senior tossing his mortarboard on the football field that day"(131). Amir proves Baba that he is more a schoolboy than a businessman as he graduates highschool. It shows that as Amir is living in the U.S., there are many opportunities for him to do lots of things.

  • Amir gets a Car

    Amir recieves a car on his 21st birthday from Baba. Amir is overwhelmed with Baba's gift and tells Baba,"how touched he was...he was still doing"(133). Amir is very thankful and apprecitated for Baba's gift. As they were living in the U.S., Amir and Baba's relationship has gotten stronger and more of a father-son relationship than it did in Afghanistan.

  • Baba has Cancer

    Baba is told to have cancer from one of his doctors as he pays a visit. The doctor describes the type of cancer as "it wouldn't change the outcome, just prolong it"(156). Baba's life is becoming shorter because of cancer and could effect Amir very negatively. Baba has risked a lot to come to America for Amir so it will be sad for Amir to see Baba go.

  • Amir Gets Married

    Amir and Soraya's wedding and marriage excites both of their families. Nothing you said changes anything. I want us to marry" (165). Amir and Soraya really love each other and are leading up to good events. This shows that a strong bonded relationship is healthy for two people to have.

  • Baba Passes Away

    Baba's cancer does not go away so he sadly passes away. As Baba was going to bed one night, Amir narrates,"We close the door. Baba never woke up"(173). Baba was a big impact in Amir's life and it ruined him to see Baba go. Baba taught Amir so much about life and it was hard hit for Amir but he realizes he must move on and make choices do Baba would be happy with

  • Soviets leave Afganistian

    After the peace talks made by United Nations, "the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989." (pg. 2 paragrapgh 5)

  • Pakistani Officers Help Omar's Men

    The Pakistani officers started "funneling arms, money and supplies to Mullah Omar's men, as well as military to help guide them in battle" (pg 3 paragraph 1)

  • Mullah Omar and His Followers

    Mullah Omar gathered a small group of men and attacked a group of warlords and "had nearly 12,00 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east" (pg 2 paragraph 8)

  • Bin Laden Arrives at Jalalabad Airport

    Osama Bin Laden "arrived by chartered jet at Jalalabad Airport in May 1996, and for Al Qaeda. (pg. 3 p. 3)" and the "the Taliban provided a haven for Mr. bin Laden." ((pg. 3 p. 3).

  • Amir's New Book

    As Amir finishes up college to become a writer, he "finished his first novel, a father-son story set in Kabul.."(182). This is an important event because when Amir was young, he wanted to become a writer. Amir was rejected of his job career in Kabul, but now that he is in America, there are more oportunities to do new things.

  • Amir and Rahim Khan Talk

    Rahim Khan gives Amir a call after 20 years of fleeing from Kabul. Rahim Khan tells Amir on the phone,"Come. There is a way to be good again"(192). This makes Amir remember his past and to go through the guilt he had with Hassan. Rahim Khan says there is a way for better chance but it could be the opposite.

  • Amir Finds Out About Hassan

    Amir and Rahim are talking about what had happened after Amir and Baba left for America. Rahim Khan tells Amir,"Ali was sterile"(222) and finds out that Hassan was his half brother. Amir was furious about what he had just heard. Amir rages at Rahim Khan that his whole life was a big lie.

  • 9/11 Invasion/ Attack

    "The Sept. 11 attacks by Al Qaeda (pg 1 paragraph 1)" tramautized many people in the U.S. and the people around the world.

  • America Bombs Afghanistan

    After the attacks inthe states, America bombs Afghanistan which scares the Taliban. In Amir's neighborhood, people were,"standing in grocery store line and talking about the cities of his childhood"(362). Amir and his wife are concerned for their people so they decide to help people in Afghanistan. They want to help those in need from the bombing so they are becoming active in their Afghan community.

  • Hamid Karzai Becomes Chairman of Gov.

    "In December 2001, Hamid Karzai...replaced the defeated Taliban (pg. 3 paragraph 6)" which shows how he became a leader and consequently becomes interim president.

  • Gen. Petraeus is in Charge of USCC

    General Petraeus is in charge of the US Central Command "October 2008 with responsibility for mililtary operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and across the region" (pg 4 paragraph 5)

  • Gen. McChystal is Removed by Obama

    Obama "removed Gen. McChystal after contemptuous quotes from the general and his staff about the seniot administration officials appeared in an article in Rolling Stone magazine" (pg. 4 paragraph 5)

  • Soviets Invade Kabul

    Baba is a very brave man during this time of terror. As they are trying to escape Kabul, the Russians are guarding so it is harder for them to leave. When Baba got angry with the soldier, he says,"tell him I'll take a thousand of his bullets before I let this indecency take place"(116). Baba is a brave man who will fight for his rights and do the right thing. It represents the brutal things the Soviets can do to the people of Afghanistan

  • Obama's Speech about his Plan

    Obama disusses his plan at West Point "to deploy 30,000 additional troops. He vowed to start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011, saying the US could npt afford and should not have to shoulder an open ended commitment" (pg.4 p. 6)