-
British Intervention
Throughout the eighteenth century, "the Russian government vied with Britian for influence in Central Asia" (2). They did this because of Afghanistan's strategic location -
Amir's First Story-Telling Experience
As Hosseini writes, "One day, in July 1973, I played another little trick on Hassan. I was reading to him, and suddently I strayed from the written story" (30). On this date, Amir learned that he too could write stories that were just as interesting as the ones he read. This was a major moment in his life as he later decided to become a writer. -
Hassan Gets Surgery to Repair His Harelip
Hassan was born with a harelip. For his tenth or eleventh birthday, Baba bought Hassan a doctor to fix his, "studpid harelip" (Hosseini 46). This was an important moment for Hassan because he was forever rid of one of his imperfections. This was also an important moment for Amir because he became jealous of the attention Hassan received from Baba. This prompted him to judge every decision he made with the basis of how it would affect he and Baba's relationship (for the better). -
Amir Wins the Kite Tournament
After he cut his opponent's kite's string, Amir realized that, '"we won! We won"' (Hosseini 66). This was important for Amir because, as he discussed in the book, it was one of the greatest moments of his life. This was also important for Amir because it won Baba's affecttion and attention- at least, for a period of time. -
Amir Watches Hassan Get Violated
As the author writes,"He positioned himself behind Hassan. Hassan didn't even struggle...In the end, I ran" (75-77). This awful moment in Hassan's life caused him and Amir to cease their friendship. Soon after the event, memories of the event drive Amir to build a resentment towards Hassan -
Ali & Hassan Quit
After Hassan "admitted" to stealing Amir's money and watch, Ali announced that, "we are leaving... We can't stay here anymore" (Hosseini 106). This moment was important because it caused Amir so much psychological trauma. This was also important because in many ways, it allowed Baba to learn to love Amir, but it also caused him to resent him. -
First Soviet Troops Enter Kabul to "assist" Karmal
According to the NYT, on this date, "the first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabulk... To assist Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afghan Communist Leadership" (2). -
Baba & Amir move to America
In the early 1980's, Baba and Amir were, "living in America" (Hosseini 125). As the author states, Amir and Baba had moved to America, more specifically Fremont, as a result of Russian forces seizing power of Kabul, their home. -
Amir Graduates American Highschool
On this date, Baba got to experience one of his proudest moments in life as a father- his son's highschool graduation. Amir recalls, "that summer of 1983, I graduated from highschool at the age of twenty, by far the oldest senior rossing his mortarboard on teh football field that day" (Hosseini 131). Amir finally has taken his first step towards being successful in America. In other words, he received his highschool diploma, a document that was almost required to prosper in the 1900's. -
Amir Meets his Future Wife
During one of his trips to the flea market, Amir laid eyes upon, "a slip-hipped beauty with velvety coal black hair, an open thermos, and styrofoam cup in her hand" (Hosseini 140). This moment caused Amir to obsess over her beauty. This obsession eventually led to his and her marriage. -
Baba Buys a Volkswagen Bus
After Amir turned 21, Baba decided to sell his Buik, and buy a, "dilapidated '71 Volkswagen bus for $550" (Hosseini 136). This bus was imperitave because it allowed Baba and Amir to earn money. It's also important because without that bus. Amir would have never met his future wife. -
Baba is Diagnosed Wtih Cancer
After Baba got referred to a pulmonary specialist, he found out that he had, "'Oat Cell Carcinoma"' (Hossieni 154). This was a terrible moment in Amir's life because he realized that he would be alone in America, after his father's inevitable cancer conclusion. This moment prompted Amir to ask his father to marry him and his crush, Soraya. -
Baba Dies
Shortly after Baba was diagnosed with cancer, he met his fate. After a dinner party at his home, Amir put Baba to sleep, but he did not expect that, "Baba never woke up" (Hosseini 173). This was an aweful time for Amir, as he discovered that he was now alone, except for his wife, in America. This would tighten his and Soraya's bond and would eventually cause him to want children. -
Soviet Air Force Weakened
In an effort to combat communsim, the US supplied rebels who opposed Soviet rule by supplying them with, "Stinger antiaircraft missles" (2) -
Amir Finishes His First Book
Three years after Baba's death, Amir recalled that he was going to be a, "published novelist" (Hosseini 183). This was a big deal since it allowed Amir to start making money faster. This also caused Amir to become somewhat famous in his Afghan community -
Soviet Troops Leave Afghanistan
After about seven years, "Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989" (2), after being convinced by the UN. -
Taliban Gains Control
A few years before the US became mlitarily involved in Afghanistan, "the Taliban, the extremist Islamic group... seized control in 1996" (1). -
Hassan & His Wife are Executed by the Taliban
During his visit with Rahim Khan, Amir is informed that Hassan was, "'shot...in the back of the head"' (Hosseini 219). This was a huge moment for Amir as he learned that the main reason why he came back to Afghanistan was useless. This was also pivitol in Amir's development because he learned that Hassan's son was taken to an orphanage, deep within danger. This ultimately forced Amir to find his nephew, Sohrab. -
9/11 Attack
On this date Osama Bin Laden planned an attack, "on the World Trade Center in New York" (3). This caused the United States to get militarily involved in Afghanistan. -
Karzai Gains Power
In December 2001, a reletive of the exiled shah of Afghanistan, "was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban" (3). -
Rahim Khan Calls Amir For Help
Rahim Khan, Amir's old friend, called Amir from Afghanistan, and told him that, "there is a way to be good again" (Hosseini 2). This is important as it prompted Amir to return to Afghanistan to atone for his sins. Without this call, it is unlikely that Amir would have ever discovered Hassan's fate, and he would have never saved Sohrab . -
Sohrab Finally Smiles
Amir was helping Sohrab fly his kite when he looked down and saw, "a smile. Lopsided. Hardly there. But there." (Hosseini 370). This is relevant as it was the first time that Sohrab had smiled, even talked, in many months. Moreover, it was the first sign of Sohrab recovering from his traumatizing experiences he had in Afghanistan. -
Karzai is Elected President
Towards the end of his interim position, Karzai is, "elected to a five-year term as president in 2004." (3). This was important as it was a democratic election. -
Obama's Promotion of Gen. Petraeus Leads to Afghanistan Surge
President Obama apointed, "General David H. Petraeus" (1). This lead to him being the, "Architect of the 2007 'surge' in Iraq" (1). -
President Obama's Speech
On this date, President Obama delivered a speech in which he, "announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops" (4).