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Baba is born
The book says that "In 1933, The year Baba was born" (Hosseni 24)
Baba, the masculine, powerful father of Hassan and Amir is born. He and Amir will go through a lot together in the coming chapters -
Amir is born
In the begging of the novel it states "1964, just one year after giving birth to Amir" (Hosseni 6) This is a monumental occasion as Amir is the protagonist of the novel. Throughout the book we will learn about his life and all hardships that come with it. -
Hassan is born
The novel states that Hassan "was born in the winter of 1964" (Hosseni 6) Hassan, Amirs once best friend and half brother (although he does not know that yet) is born. Hassan creates an awkward relationship between Baba and Amir as Baba has to hide that Hassan is his son and often takes his frustration out on Amir. -
Hassan is raped as Amir watches
After winning the renowned kite flying competition, Hassan is raped by Assef as Amir watches. He states that "I had one last opportunity to stick up for Hassan- the way he had stuck up for me all those times in the past- and accept whatever happened to me. Or I could run" Amir decides to run, and little did he know at the time it would change his life forever. Amir feels uncontrollable guilt from the incident and he will for a very long time. -
Ali and Hassan leave
After Amir attempted to from Hassan in order to get him to leave, Ali unexceptionally says "We are leaving, Agha sahib" (Hosseni 106) Baba tries to resit and convince them otherwise, nothing works. This event likely happend due to Hassans rape, as Amir stated earlier in the chapter "One of us had to go". Amir and Hassan could no longer be together, and Hassan had to go for both of them to move on with their lives as proficiently as possible. -
Soviet troops parachute into Kabul
On a cold winter night "The first soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec 27, 1979" The New York Times -
Baba and Amir arrive in SF
Amir states that "Baba loved the idea of America it was living in America that gave him an ulcer." (Hosseni 125) In this quote, America is not everything that Baba thought it may be. Baba feels defeated after going from Pakistan, where he was considered upper class to America where he is just an average Joe. -
Amir graduates HS
While discussing he and Babas new life Amir explains that "That summer of 1983, I graduated high school.... 'I [Baba] am moftakhir, Amir' he said. Proud." (Hosseni 131) In this quote Amir graduates high school. This quote is relevant because Baba is genuinely proud of Amir and lets him know he is, something he rarely does. -
Amir and Soroya get married
During the "giving of the word"portion of Amir and Sorayas wedding, General Taheris said, "Amir jan, as for you, I welcome you to my home as a son, as the husband of my daughter who is nore of my eye.....I pray for your love and our lovely Soraya jan's happiness"(Hosseini 168) In this quote, the general shows his approval of Amir, allowing him to become part of the family. This event holds great significance as Amir and Soraya are starting adulthood together. -
Amir Receives a call from Rahim Khan and returns to Kabul.
One day Amir receives a call from Rahim Khan, after the call, Amir thinks "Come, there is a way to be good again, Rahim Khan had said on the phone just before hanging up... A way to be good again"(Hosseini 192). In this quote Khan convinces Amir to travel back to his home town to face his demons. This talk will change Amirs life for the better. -
Baba dies of lung cancer
A month after the wedding when Soraya offers Baba a morphine before bed he responds "Not tonight'....'There is no pain tonight' Baba never woke up." (Hosseni 173) In this quote, Baba dies. Now without Baba Amir has to survive and live as his own, he no longer has Baba to weigh him down or lean on. -
Soviet air force rendered useless.
When the War began to conclude, "The soviet air force was rendered largely useless by advanced stinger missles supplied by the USA" The New York Times -
Amirs first novel is published
After Baba dies Amir states "The novel was published the following year, 1989" (Hoesseni 183) The novel was a big hit, making Amir lots of money. Amir has been writing since he moved to California, which Baba disapproved of. -
Soviets leave Afghanistan
After nearly ten years "The last soviet troops lest Afghanistan in February 1989" The New York Times -
Sohrab is born
Sohrab, Hassans son and Amirs nephew "Sanaubar who delivered Hassan's son that winter if 1990"(Hosseini 211) Sohrabs birth is a monumental occasion in the novel. Sohrab as stated earlier is Hassans son and Amirs nephew, Amir will save him in the future. -
The Taliban begins receiving aid from Intelligence officers.
Shortly after being created "As early as 1994 Pakistani intelligence officers begin funneling firearms, supplies and men to Omar" The New York Times -
Taliban takes control of Afghanistan
After gaining widespread popularity in 1994 "The Taliban from 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan" The new york times -
Amir is relieved of his guilt after Assef beats him.
When Amir is getting beaten by Assef after trying to free Sohrab, Amir begins to laugh, Assef, confused asks why he is. Amir thinks, "For the first time since winter of 1975, I felt at peace" (Hosseini 289) In this quote Amir feels relief after being atoned for watching Hassan getting raped. Amir has now payed his dues for that . horrible mistake and has a clean conscience. -
Sohrab attempts suicide.
After Sohrab is rescued, he is found in the bathtub, attempting suicide. When Amir asks what is wrong, he responds "I want my old life back"(Hosseini 354). At this point Sohrab has been sexaully abused and has lived in many orphanages. After going through so many hardships, Sohrab has had enough. -
9/11, Bush declares war.
After the horrific September 11th Attacks "President George W Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden. When it refused, the United States joined forces with rebel groups that had never accepted Taliban rule, notably the Northem Alliance, which represented minority tribes. An air and ground campaign began that drove the Taliban out of the major Afghan cities by the end of the year. " The New York Times -
Hamid Karzari Named intern president
After defeat, "Hamid Karzai, a supporter and relative of Mohammad Zahir Shah, the exiled former king of Afghanistan, was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban, making him the leader of the country. He took office as interim president in June 2002, saying he hoped to secure peace for Afghanistan and win the country much-needed international aid." -
Amir and Sohrab fly a kite.
At the end of the novel, Amir and Sohrab fly a kit, as Amir says "For you, a thousand times over'...It was only a smile, nothing more"(Hosseini 371). Hassan said this line to Amir when they were younger. This quote represents the atonement and character arch of Amir, coming from a self concerned person, to a man who has gone through hardships and has developed valuable morales. -
Karzai Becomes president
After serving as intern president "Mr. Karzai was elected to a five-year term as president in 2004. " The New York Times -
Obama deploys 30k new troops
About a year into his first term "In a speech delivered Dec. 1, 2009, at West Point, Mr. Obama announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops" The New York TImes -
Obama announces plan to bring troops home
After two years since deploying an additional 30k troops, "He vowed to start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011, saying the United States could not afford and should not have to shoulder an open-ended commitment." The New York Times