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Amir and Hassan were Born
The main character, Amir, and his friend Hassan were born in the year 1963. ( Due to the fact that they were the age of 12 in 1975. ) "We even were fed from the same breast as children". (11) This signifies the fact that the two were indeed very close to each other since birth. This is important because it shows why it is hard on Amir to know what he had done to Hassan. -
Khan Overthrows Final King of Afghanistan
Amanullah Khan overthrows the last king, Mohammed Zahir Shah, in a military coup. Khan’s regime, the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan, comes to power. Khan abolishes the monarchy and names himself president. The Republic of Afghanistan is established with firm ties to the USSR. -
Assef Rapes Hassan
Amir witnesses the rape of his best friend, Hassan. "I could step in to that alley and help Hassan... Or I could run. In the end, I ran" (77). This is significant because this event is what later on broke apart the bond between Amir and Hassan. This is important because this will later play a huge role in the novel, when Amir is given the chance to help Hassan. -
Hassan and Ali move from the house
Hassan and Ali decide to move out of the home of Amir and Baba after Amir framed Hassan for stealing something that he did not. "I had never seen Baba cry like he did when they left" (107). This signifies that Baba was clearly upset that he would never see the two of them ever again. This is important because Baba had grown up with Ali and to see him and his son leave, ripped Baba out on the inside. -
Amanullah Khan Killed
Khan is killed in a communist coup. Nur Mohammad Taraki, one of the founding members of the Afghan Communist Party, takes control of the country as president, and Babrak Karmal is named deputy prime minister. They proclaim independence from Soviet influence, and declare their policies to be based on Islamic principles, Afghan nationalism and socioeconomic justice. -
America Cuts Ties with Afghanistan
American Ambassador Adolph Dubs is killed. The United States cuts off assistance to Afghanistan. -
Baba and Amir leave Kabul
Baba and Amir decided it was best to move from the place Amir had grown up in. "My innards had been rolling since we left from Kabul at just after two in the morning" (110). This signifies that Baba no longer felt safe in Kabul due to the Russian invasion. This is important because it will give Amir and Baba a chance to start new lives in a different place. -
Osama Bin Laden Travels to Afghanistan
Saudi Islamist Osama bin Laden makes his first documented trip to Afghanistan to aid anti-Soviet fighters. The United Nations investigates reported human rights violations in Afghanistan. -
Baba and Amir move to The United States
Baba and Amir move to Fremont, California in the 1980's. "Baba loved the idea of America" (125). This signifies that Baba is excited for his and his son's new start in America. This is important because it gives both of them a chance to live new and better lives. -
Amir and Soroya Get Married
Amir gets married to the general's daughter, Soroya. "Nothing you said changes anything. I want us to marry" (165). This signifies that Amir and Soroya are truly in love and want to marry. This is important because it shows that they will have a happy marriage, unlike ones that have happened in the novel. -
Baba Passes Away From Illness
Amir's father passes away. "Not tonight, [Baba] said, there is no pain tonight. Baba never woke up after that" (173) This signifies that Baba is indeed gone. This is important because he was Amir's father and AMir loved him entirely. -
Rahim Khan finds Hassan in Hazarajat
Rahim Khan is reunited with Hassan in Hazarajat. "There were many reasons why I went to Hazarajat to find Hassan in 1986" (203). This signifies that Amir cared enough about Hassan to go looking for him 11 years later. This is important because it shows that Amir wants to atone for his past sins. -
Terrorist Group, al-Qaida, is Formed
Osama bin Laden and 15 other Islamists form the group al-Qaida, or “the base”, to continue their jihad, or holy war. -
Hassan's Wife Gives Birth to a Stillborn Baby
Hassan tried having kids, but was unable to due to the fact that his wife gave birth to a stillborn child. "Then late that fall, Farzana gave birth to a stillborn baby" (209) This signifies the fact that Hassan is terribly saddened that his wife was unsuccessful at giving birth. This is important because Hassan is very torn on the inside now. -
Afghanistan Gains Freedom
The U.S., Pakistan, and the Soviet Union sign peace accords in Geneva guaranteeing Afghan independence and the withdrawal of 100,000 Soviet troops. -
Hassan meets his Mother
Hassan finally meets his mother who left him as a child. "Smile for me. Please" (210). This signifies that Sanaubar knows the mistakes she made and now wants to be friends with Hassan. This is important because Hassan finally has the chance to speak to the woman who gave birth to him. -
Rebel Groups Take Over
The Mujahadeen and other rebel groups, with the aid of turncoat government troops, storm the capital, Kabul, and oust Najibullah from power. -
Taliban Group is Formed
Newly formed Islamic militia, the Taliban, rises to power on promises of peace. -
Hassan is killed by Taliban soldiers
Hassan was shot in the head by the Taliban. "They ordered him to kneel... they shot him in the back of the head" (219). This signifies that Hassan is now gone. This is important because Amir was able to gain a friendship with Hassan and now he is dead. -
Violent Acts Uprise Between USA and Afghanistan
Following al-Qaida’s bombings of two American embassies in Africa, President Clinton orders cruise missile attacks against bin Laden’s training camps in Afghanistan. The attacks miss the Saudi and other leaders of the terrorist group. -
Amir Flys a Kite with Sohrab
Amir flies a kite with Hassan's son. "For you a thousand times over", I heard myself say" (371) This signifies that Amir feels as if he is back with his old friend and had atoned for his sins finally. This is important because Amir finally atoned for what he had done. -
Rahim Khan’s Phone Call to Amir
Amir receives a phone call from an old friend that says he has a chance to “be good” with his old friend Hassan. "There is a way to be good again" (2). This signifies that there could be a way for Amir to make up for not doing enough back in 1975 when Hassan was raped. This is important because it could be a way for Amir and Hassan to be friends again. -
Amir Finds Out Hassan Is His Half Brother
Amir is informed that Hassan is in fact Baba's child. "I am 38 years old and was just informed of this!" (223) This signifies that Amir has been lied to his entire life about why Hassan meant so much to Baba. This is important because it makes Amir feel betrayed by his now dead father. -
Sohrab Smiles For the First Time
Hassan's son smiles for the first time. "I looked down at Sohrab, one corner of his mouth curled up just so" (370). This signifies that Amir seeing his old friend's son finally smile is a hug thing for Amir. This is important because it is his first time ever smiling. -
The September 11th Attacks
The Attacks of September 11th was a terrorist attack performed by a group of men from Afghanistan when they infamously flew two planes into the World Trade Center buildings in New York City and one more crashed into the Pentagon, located in Washington D.C
