On This Day

Future Russian Tsar Peter III marries Ekaterina Alexeievna later Catherine II (Catherine the Great)

Catherine II (born Princess Sophia Augusta Frederica of Anhalt-Zerbst; 2 May 1729 – 17 November 1796), commonly referred to in various media as Catherine the Great, was the reigning Empress of Russia...

Catherine II (born Princess Sophia Augusta Frederica of Anhalt-Zerbst; 2 May 1729 – 17 November 1796), commonly referred to in various media as Catherine the Great, was the reigning Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796. She came to power after a coup d'etat against her husband, Peter III. Her long reign helped Russia thrive under a golden age during the Enlightenment. This renaissance led to the founding of many new cities, universities, and theatres, along with large-scale immigration from the rest of Europe and the recognition of Russia as one of the great powers of Europe.

After overthrowing and possibly assassinating her husband and her subsequent rule of the Russian Empire, Catherine often relied on noble favourites such as Count Grigory Orlov and Grigory Potemkin.

Historical Significance

Catherine II (born Princess Sophia Augusta Frederica of Anhalt-Zerbst; 2 May 1729 – 17 November 1796), commonly referred to in various media as Catherine the Great, was the reigning Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796.

Key People

Peter III

Catherine the Great

Catherine the Great

Events Before

  1. English astronomer James Bradley announces the discovery of Earth's nutation, or wobble

    English astronomer James Bradley announces the discovery of Earth's nutation, or wobble

  2. French and Spanish fleet leave Toulon

    The Battle of Toulon took place on 21 and 22 February 1744 NS near the French Mediterranean port of Toulon.

  3. Battle at Toulon (French/Spanish vs English fleet of Adm Matthews)

    Battle at Toulon (French/Spanish vs English fleet of Adm Matthews)

  4. Battle of Toulon [Battle of Cape Sicié]: Spanish naval fleet supported by France's Levant fleet breaks through a two-yea

    Battle of Toulon [Battle of Cape Sicié]: Spanish naval fleet supported by France's Levant fleet breaks through a two-year-old British blockade of Italy, allowing the Spanish to go on the offensive against Savoy

  5. English auction house Sotheby's holds its first ever auction (of books) in London

    Sotheby's ( SUDH-ə-beez) is a British-founded multinational corporation with headquarters in New York City.

Events After

  1. Battle of Culloden: Royalist troops under the Duke of Cumberland defeat the Jacobite army of Charles Edward Stuart in th

    Battle of Culloden: Royalist troops under the Duke of Cumberland defeat the Jacobite army of Charles Edward Stuart in the final battle of the Jacobite Rising on British soil

  2. The Peruvian cities of Lima and Callao are demolished by an earthquake, killing 18,000

    The Peruvian cities of Lima and Callao are demolished by an earthquake, killing 18,000

  3. Battle of Falkirk Muir, the Jacobites under Charles Stuart defeat Hanoverian forces

    Battle of Falkirk Muir, the Jacobites under Charles Stuart defeat Hanoverian forces

  4. French troops conquer Brussels

    French troops conquer Brussels

  5. The Duke of Cumberland's troops occupy Aberdeen

    Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (15 April 1721 [N.S.] – 31 October 1765), was the third and youngest son of George II of Great Britain and Ireland and his wife, Caroline of Ansbach.

More from the 1740s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 21, 1745?
Catherine II (born Princess Sophia Augusta Frederica of Anhalt-Zerbst; 2 May 1729 – 17 November 1796), commonly referred to in various media as Catherine the Great, was the reigning Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796. She came to power after a coup d'etat against her husband, Peter III. Her long reign helped Russia thrive under a golden age during the Enlightenment.
Why is Future Russian Tsar Peter III marries Ekaterina Alexeievna later Catherine II... significant?
Catherine II (born Princess Sophia Augusta Frederica of Anhalt-Zerbst; 2 May 1729 – 17 November 1796), commonly referred to in various media as Catherine the Great, was the reigning Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796.
Who was involved in Future Russian Tsar Peter III marries Ekaterina Alexeievna later Catherine II...?
Key figures include Peter III, Catherine the Great, Catherine the Great.

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