--1940--

Zahir Shah proclaims Afghanistan as neutral during WW2

--1947--

Britain withdraws from India. Pakistan is carved out of Indian and Afghan lands.

--1949--

--Afghanistan's Parliament denounces the Durand Treaty and refuses to recognize the Durand line as a legal boundary between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
--Pashtuns in Pashtunistan (Occupied Afghan Land)  proclaim an independent Pashtunistan, but their  proclamation goes unacknowledged  by the world community.

--1953--

Prince Mohammad Daoud becomes Prime Minister.

--1954--

The U.S. rejects Afghanistan's request to buy military equipment to modernize the army.

--1955--

--Daoud turns to the Soviet Union (Russia)  for military aid.
--The Pashtunistan (occupied Afghan land) issue flares up.

 
--1956--

--Kruschev and Bulgaria agree to help Afghanistan.
--Close ties between Afghanistan and USSR.

--1959--

--The Purdah is made optional, women begin to enroll in the University which has become co-educational.
--Women begin to enter the workforce, and the government.

--1961--

Pakistan and Afghanistan come close to war over Pashtunistan.

--1963-1964--

Zahir Shah demands Daoud's resignation. Dr. Mohammad Yusof  becomes Prime Minister.

--1965--

--The Afghan Communist Party was secretly formed in January. Babrak Karmal is one of the founders.
--In September, first nationwide elections under the new constitution.
--Karmal was elected to the Parliament, later instigates riots.
--Zahir and Yussof  form second government.

--1969--

--Second nationwide elections.
--Babrak and Hafizullah Amin are  elected.

--1972--

Mohammad Moussa becomes Prime Minister.

--1973--

--July 17th: Zahir Shah is on vacation in Europe, when his government is overthrown in a military coup headed    by Daoud Khan and PDPA (Afghan Communist Party).
--Daoud Khan abolishes the monarchy, declares himself President---Republic of Afghanistan is established.

--1974--

UNESCO names Herat as one of the first cities to be designated as a part of the worlds cultural heritage.

--1975--1977

--Daoud Khan presents a new constitution. Women's rights confirmed.
--Daoud starts to oust suspected opponents from his government.

--1978--

--Bloody Communist coup: Daoud is killed, Taraki is named President, and Karmal becomes  his deputy Prime Minister. Tensions rise.
--Mass arrests, tortures, and arrests takes place.
--Afghan flag is changed.
--Taraki signs treaty of friendship with the Soviet Union.
--June--Afghan guerrilla (Mujahideen) movement is born.

--1979--

--Mass killings
--US ambassador killed
--Taraki is killed and Hafizullah Amin takes the Presidency.
--Amin is executed, and he is replaced with  Babrak Karmal.
--Soviet Union (Russia)  invade in December.

--1980--

Dr. Najibullah is brought back from USSR to run the secret police.

--1984--

UN sends investigators to Afghanistan to examine reported human rights violations.

--1986--

--Babrak  Karmal is replaced by  Dr. Najibullah.

--1987--

--Najibullah proposes ceasefire, but the Mujahideen refuse to deal with a "puppet government".
--Mujahideen make great gains, defeat of Soviets eminent.

--1988--1989--

--Peace accords signed in Geneva.
--Soviet Union defeated by Afghanistan,  total withdrawal by the Soviets occurred on Feb. 15, 1989.
--Experts agree that at least 40,000-50,000 Soviets lost their lives in action, besides the wounded,              suicides, and murders.
--Mujahideen continue  to fight against Najibullah's regime.
--May--Afghan guerrillas elect Sibhhatullah Mojadidi as head of their government-in-exile.

--1992--

--April 15--The Mujahideen take Kabul and liberate Afghanistan, Najibullah is protected by UN.
--The Mujahideen form an Islamic State--Islamic Jihad Council--elections.
--Iranian and Pakistani interference increases--more fighting--
--Professor Burhannudin Rabbani is elected President.

--1994--

--The Taliban militia are born, and advance rapidly against the Islamic government.
--Dostum and Hekmatyar continued to clash against Rabbani's government, and as a result Kabul is reduced to rubble.

--1995--

--Massive gains by the Taliban.
--Increased Pakistani and Iranian interference.

--1996--

--June--Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, head of Hezbi-Islami, having been eliminated as a military power, signs a peace pact with Rabbani, and returns to Kabul to rule as prime minister.
--September 27--Taliban militia force President Rabbani and his government out of Kabul.  After the capture of Kabul, the Taliban execute Najibullah.
--Alliance between Government, Hezbi Wahdat, and Dostum
--Oppression of  women by the Taliban--women must be fully veiled, no longer allowed to work, go out alone or even wear white socks. Men are forced to grow beards.  Buzkashi, the Afghan national sport is outlawed.
--Tensions rise as Afghan government accuse Pakistan of aiding the Taliban.
--Massive human rights violations by the Taliban.

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