Kite Runner & The History of Afghanistan

By nataliearroyo

  • King Nadir Shah Assassination

    Inside cabinets lay family pictures including "..a photo of my grandfather and King Nadir Shah taken in 1931, two years before the king's assassination." (5)

  • 45 Year Reign

    In 1933, "Zahir Shah began his forty-five year reign of Afghanistan." They came from a wealthy family with a honorable reputation. (24)

  • Economic Developement

    Since Zahir Shah took over, "Economic development and reform danced on a lot of lips in Kabul." Constitution monarchies had become destroyed, republics took over, etc (43)

  • Baba Builds Orphanage

    When Amir was young, "Baba decided to build an orphanage." (13) Baba did it all from scratch, even though he had no experience at all. People pleaded Baba to hire an architect but he didn't listen to them, shocking everyone when he succeeded. It took three years to complete, all funded by Baba.

  • Hassan gets surgery to fix cleft lip

    During winter of 1974, for Hassan's birthday Baba gets him an unusual present, plastic surgery to fix his cleft lip. "I have summoned Dr. Kumar from New Delhi. Dr. Kumar is a plastic surgeon." (45) Baba assures Hassan it's a long term, great present.

  • Assef Rapes Hassan

    After Hassan defends Amir and doesn't give Assef the kite, he rapes Hassan and says, "...there's nothing sinful about teaching a lesson to a disrespectful monkey." (75) Amir watches, not knowing what to do.

  • Kite-Fighting Tournaments

    In Winter of 1975, "Hassan [ran] a kite for the last time." (55) This was the biggest tournament in twenty-five years. Amir was excited to make Baba proud of him for winning.

  • Ali and Hassan Leave

    After Amir's 13th birthday, Hassan and Ali leave after confessing to stealing; even though they were framed. Ali says "life here is impossible for us now, Agha sahib. We're leaving." (106) After trying to convince them not to leave, Baba finally drops them of at the bus station like they asked.

  • The First Soviet Troops

    After Babrak Karmal became president, "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27,1979." (NYT)

  • Russians Invade Afghanistan

    In 1981 Russians invaded Afghanistan, Amir says, "You couldn't trust anyone in Kabul anymore-for a fee or under threat, people told on each other,..." (112) Comrades were everywhere and separated people into two groups. After hearing the news Amir and Baba immigrated.

  • Amir Graduates High School

    At the age of twenty, Amir finally graduated high school in the United States. Amir says "...in a way, this day was his day more than mine." (131) Baba was very proud of his son. He took Amir out to eat "too much food", then they go out to have a few drinks as well.

  • Soviet Air Forces

    The Kabul Government kept Soviet troops in the country for years as they "...were rendered largely useless by advanced Stinger antiaircraft missiles supplied by the United States to the rebels." (NYT)

  • Amir and Soraya try to have children

    Amir and Soraya were excited over the idea of having kids but "with each cycle of blood, Soraya grew more frustrated, more impatient, more irritable." (184) After trying for a year, they went to see the doctor.

  • Baba dies

    After finding out Baba had cancer, Amir tried convincing Baba to get treatment and medicine; but Baba disagreed. He died on midnight, "Baba never woke up." (173)

  • Soviet Troops left

    After a big war the "...last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989, in what was in effect a unilateral withdrawal. (NYT)

  • Amir releases a novel

    In Summer of 1988 "...the novel was released...the publisher sent me on a five-city book tour." (183) He was known through the Afghan community after releasing his first novel.

  • Pakistani Officers Channel Supplies

    In 1994 Pakistani Officers "began funneling arms, money and supplies to Mullah Omar's man, as well as military advisers to help guide them into battle." (NYT)

  • The Taliban Takeover

    With a promise of making Islam a better place with over 12,000 followers, "he created a genuinely popular movement in a country weary of corruption and brutality." (NYT)

  • Taliban takes Control over Afghanistan

    When Taliban took control over Afghanistan, the impacts were very hard it "banned movies and music and forcing women out of schools and info all-envoloping burqa clothing." (NYT)

  • Daoud Khan Ends Reign

    After hearing shootings and explosions in less than one hour, it was found out that "[Zahir Shah's]...cousin Daoud Khan ended the king's forty-year reign with a bloodless coup." all while Zahir Shah was away in Italy. (36)

  • September 11 Attack

    After the September 11 attacks by Al Qaeda, "The United States has been militarily involved in Afghanistan since 2001." (NYT)