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Daoud Khan overthrows Mohammed Zahir Shah
In 1973, Khan overthrows Muhammed in a military coup. Khan uses his power to "(abolish) the monarchy and (name) himself president. The new republic creates close ties with the Soviet Union (USSR).
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan -
Assef bullies Hassan and Amir
Amir and Hassan are going to a hill when Assef and his friends interrupt them. Assef talks about how the new president will do great things to Afghanistan like eliminating the Hazaras. Assef then states that Hassan is worthless and wonders how Amir "'can call [Hassan] [his] friend?'"(Hosseini 41). The prejudice comment puts Hassan negatively down and illustrates the fact that Assef is bulling them. The comments create a social class separation between Hassan's and Amir's friendship. -
Hassan is raped
Hassan is flying the blue kite after winning the tournament and gets stopped by Assef and his friends. They conner Hassan and pin him down. Then Amir chases after them but does nothing. Amir "In the end...ran" (Hosseini 77) -
Hassan and Ali move to Bamiyan
After Amir has attempted multiple times to get Hassan out of his life, it finally worked when he wrongly convicted Hassan of stealing his gifts. Baba forgives Hassan and Ali, but Ali states "Life here is impossible for us now" (Hosseini 106). Amirs sinful actions created a separation between him and Hassan, which eventually drove Hassan completely away. -
The USSR Invades Afghanistan
After America cuts off assistance to Afghanistan and the American Ambassador is killed, the USSR invades Afghanistan. The new prime minister, Amin, is then executed which results in Karmal stepping in. The "widespread opposition to Karmal and Soviets spawns violent public demonstrations" and leads to the execution of him and his followers(PBS). In all of this chaos, the soviets raid Afghanistan and start a war. -
Amir and Baba escape Afghanistan
Amir and Baba are fleeing Afghanistan to escape the Soviet union after they took control of the country. It was no longer safe to live in Afghanistan without having the possibility of being killed or sent to jail. As they were escaping Amir thinks "...[Their] seventh servant in five years- would probably think [they] (have) gone out for a stroll... [people] can't trust anyone in Kabul anymore" (Hosseini 112). They fled Kabul to seek a better life, safe and away from the Russians and war. -
Immigration from Afghanistan
After the raid of Soviets and war of Afghanistan started, "2.8 million Afghans have fled...and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran" (PBS). The large amount of fleeing immigrants demonstrates the impact the war has caused. -
Amir and Baba live in California
Amir and Baba escape the dangers of Afghanistan and head to Fremont, California. After their long journey, they end up living in a low-income community and a small apartment. Baba works at a gas station and Amir is in community college hoping to pursue a writing career. Amir thinks "Kabul (has) become a city of ghosts..." (Hosseini 136). Amir and Baba have thrown their past lives behind them to hope for a better future ahead. -
US starts investigating Afghanistan
As the war breaks out and millions are fleeing, America decides to investigate for "reported human rights violation" (PBS). The new investigation is in response to the recent violence and unsafe actions in Afghanistan. -
Amir and Soraya get married
When Amir and Baba go to the flea market every Sunday, Amir suddenly finds interest in a pretty girl named Soraya. They start hanging out with each other, but Soraya's father forbids them. But soon after, Amir asks for her hand in marriage. He "...whispered to her the first time that [he] loved her"(Hosseini 171). Amir and Soraya's new marriage demonstrate the love they have for each other. -
Baba Dies
Baba dies an untimely death from lung cancer. The excessive use of cigarettes resulted in his uncurable diagnosed lung cancer. His death was bound to happen, but Baba refused to take medication to slow it down. The disease brought hardship to Amir, Soraya, and the entire community. Baba's last moments were shared with. Amir and Soraya, but after he went to bed he "never woke up"(Hosseini 173). -
Soviet Union, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and US sign a peace treaty
During the war, these groups of people sign a peace treaty to "guarantee Afghan independence and the withdrawal of 100,000 Soviet troops"( PBS). -
Hassan starts a family and reunites with old.
While Amir and Baba were in America, Hassan fled to Hazarajat and started his own happy life. He married a woman named Farzana and had a kid named Sohrab. In the middle of all of this, Sanaubar arrives beginning for help and another chance. Hassan's love for his family is seen when he states "[Sanaubar] was home now... home with her family" (Hosseini 210). Hassan's pure forgiveness and loyalty proves he loves his family. -
Hassan dies
When Rahim left Kabul to seek better medical help, Taliban officials tried to force Hassan and his family out of their house because they were Hazara's. Hassan started to protest, but before he could finish a "(Talib) shot him in the back of the head" (Hosseini 219). Though Hassan was doing no harm, his identity set him up for failure. Hassan's tragic death illustrates the prejudice, cruel actions of the Taliban. -
Amir visits Rahin Khan in Pakistan
Rahim Khan calls Amir to inform that he is dying and needs to talk to him. When Amir finally arrived in Pakistan, he looked at Rahim and thought "a thing made of skin and bones pretending to be Rahim Khan opened the door"( Hosseini 197). -
Amir visits Kabul
After Rahim informs Amir that Hassan is his actual brother, Amir visits Kabul to rescue his nephew, Sohrab. Amir is going to Kabul to atone for the sins he has done to his brother, and to take sohrab to a better orphanage. Amir knows that a part of Hassan still " lived on. It was in Kabul. Waiting" (Hosseini 227). This sense of waiting is like a wake up call to Amir, a call to go back to his childhood. -
Sohrab is missing
When Amir reaches Kabul he finds that Sohrab is missing from the orphanage he has been in. When they question the director of he orphanage he states the Taliban officers like to stop by and offer money to "(buy) children" (Hosseini 256). They then realize the Taliban officers had taken Sohrab. Amir knows he must find SOhrab or otherwise he will never atone to his sins. -
Assef is the leader of the Taliban
After Amir finally finds Sohrab, the leader asks to privitally speak with him. As the leader was explaining what he does to these children he states " I never forget a face. Not ever" (Hosseini 281). After the leader says this, Amir realizes that it Assef who is talking to him.
