Travel through our timeline of major events in Afghanistan's history.
1st–3rd centuries A.D.
The Indo-European Kushan Empire rules parts of present-day Afghanistan. Arts and religion flourish. The Silk Road, which runs from Italy to China, passes through Afghanistan. This allows for the exchange of goods and ideas.
Arabs invade Afghanistan, and introduce Islam and an Arabic alphabet.
A tribal council of native Pashtun people creates modern Afghanistan. Ahmad Shah Durrani becomes king.
Afghanistan gains independence from Britain during the Third Anglo-Afghan War. August 19 is celebrated as Independence Day.
Mohammed Zahir Shah, Afghanistan’s last monarch, becomes king. He is king for four decades. Under his rule, the government expands international relations.
The Soviet Union invades Afghanistan and sets up a Communist government. In 1989, the Soviets are driven out by Afghan fighters called mujahedin.
The Taliban seizes control of Kabul and spreads its control across the country. The extremist group introduces harsh laws and punishments.
The Taliban protects the terrorist group al-Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden. After al-Qaeda’s September 11 attack on the U.S., American forces invade Afghanistan and remove the Taliban from power. The Taliban retains control over many remote areas.
Afghanistan adopts a new constitution. Afghans elect Hamid Karzai in the country’s first democratic presidential election.
U.S. President Barack Obama announces that the U.S. will begin withdrawing some of its troops from Afghanistan.