Timeline of Afghanistan
328 BC: Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great conquers the territory of Afghanistan. He establishes a Hellenistic state.
642 AD: Arab Invasion
The Arabs conquer the middle east, including Afghanistan. This invasion results in a massive conversion of peoples to Islam.
1219: Mongol Rule
The Mongols, lead by Genghis Khan, invade and conquer Afghanistan. After his death in 1227, the Mongols slowly lose control over the region.
1747: Formation of Afghanistan
King Durrani is elected King by a tribal council. He is able to unite the many chieftainships, petty principalities, and fragmented provinces into what is known today as Afghanistan.
1878-1919: British Rule
The British take control of Afghanistan after the second Anglo-Afghan War in 1878. During this reign, the British and Russians officially establish the boundaries of modern Afghanistan.
August 19, 1919: Afghan Independence
After the third Anglo-Afghan war, the British sign the Treaty of Rawalpindi, relinquishing their control. This date is commemorated as their independence day. This picture is of President Hamid Karzai celebrating Afghanistan's 93rd Independence Day.
1979-1989: Soviet Union Rule
After signing a bilateral treaty of friendship and cooperation with Afghanistan and the USSR in 1978, tension slowly rises between the two countries. The Soviet military invades in 1979 and sizes control. By the time the Soviet military withdrew, about 14,500 Soviet and one million Afghan lives were lost.
1996-November 13, 2001: Taliban Rule
After the Soviet Afghan conflict, there was much anarchy in Afghanistan until the Taliban seized power in 1996. They imposed an extreme interpretation of Islam, violating many of their citizen's human rights. The Taliban provided a safe haven for Osama (in the picture to the left) bin L and his al-Qaeda terrorist group which is held accountable for the attack of 9/11. Under pressure from the US military and anti-Taliban forces, the Taliban quickly dissolved, and fell on November 13, 2001.
January 4, 2004: New Constitution
The Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA) drafts the new constitution that is ratifide on January 4, 2004. On December 7 of that same year, the country is renamed the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.