Catherine the Great

Catherine the Great is born

May 2, 1729

Catherine is born Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg to parents Christian August, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst and Princess Johanna Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp

Catherine's upbringing

Jul 15, 1736

Catherine has a distant relationship with her mother and had a governess named Babette who raised and taught her.

Catherine's Religion

Jul 6, 1743

Catherine is introduced to and converted to the Lutheran church in 1743, she late converts to Russian Orthodoxy

Catherine is invited to Russia

Feb 5, 1744

Catherine receives an invitation to visit Russia on behalf of Empress Elizabeth

Catherine is married

Aug 21, 1745

At the age of 15 Catherine is sent to Russia to marry Peter III. She believed him to be mentally unstable, she later jailed him and allegedly murdered him, making herself Empress.

Catherine's first son is born

Sep 20, 1754

Catherine finally gives birth to a son, Paul I, his father is unknown.

Empress Elizabeth dies

Dec 25, 1761

Empress Elizabeth died on Dec. 25, 1761, Peter assumes power, but this creates a path for Catherine's potential reign

Alexei Greigorievich Bobrinski Born

Mar 14, 1762

Alexei Greigorievich Bobrinski is born to Catherine and Peter, he is liked by his mother and married at a young age

Catherine's reign begins

Jun 28, 1762

Catherine's coronation takes place and her reign commences. This begins one of the longest reigns in Russian history, a total of 67 years.

Marriage ends and Peter dies

Jul 17, 1762

Peter was imprisoned by Catherine for many years until he died, it is widely believed that Catherine had him killed.

Catherine creates a Commission

Jan 30, 1767

Catherine creates a legislative commission with people with a large range of societal ranking to reexamine Russia's laws. She was highly inlunced by other enlightenment leaders and own personal ideals.

Catherine sends troops to Poland

Aug 24, 1768

Catherine sends troops to Poland, of which her former lover is Emperor, in order to aide him in preventing a revolt. This begins a long track record of fierce loyalty towords her lovers

Catherine's Reign Ends

Nov 17, 1792

With Catherine's death, her reign also finishes.

Catherine's death

Nov 17, 1796

At the age of 67 Catherine dies of a stroke. There are many rumors surrounding her death, but autopsy confirmed that she did die of stroke