Catherine the Great Timeline

Birth

Apr 21, 1729

Sophie Friederike Auguste (Catherine the Great) was born in Stettin, Poland.

Age of Enligtenment

Apr 22, 1729

Catherine was born during the Age of Enlightenment, which helped shape her philosophy as an Enlightened Despot which takes on the beliefs of an absolute ruler.

Travelled to Russia

Dec 1, 1744

15 year-old Catherine went with her mother to Russia to meet Czarina Elizabeth (who invited them both) as a potential bride for heir to the throne, Elizabeth's nephew Peter.

Marriage

Aug 21, 1745

Catherine married the Grand Duke Peter and into the Russian royal family. She then became the Grand Duchess.

Gave Birth to a Son

Sep 20, 1754

Catherine gave birth to her son, Paul. Many people speculate Paul's actual father was Sergei Saltykov, a Russian Noble.

Gave birth to a daughter

Dec 9, 1757

Catherine's daughter, Anna Petrovna, was born.

Peter III Takes the Throne

Dec 25, 1761

Catherine's husband took the throne after the death of Empress Elizabeth. She then received the title of Empress Consort.

Death of Elizabeth

Dec 25, 1761

Empress of Russia, Elizabeth, dies. This passes the throne to Peter III.

Gave birth to her second son

Apr 10, 1762

Catherine gave birth to her and Peter's second son, Alexei Grigoryvich.

Dethroning of Peter III

Jul 9, 1762

Peter was abdicated. Catherine disagreed with Peter’s ruling, and didn’t believe he would be a good emperor for Russia.

Death of Peter III

Jul 17, 1762

Peter was assassinated nearly six months after taking the throne by a coup created by Catherine.

Catherine Takes the Throne

Dec 1, 1762

Catherine claims the throne and begins her rule of Russia after the murder of Peter III.

Death

Oct 17, 1796

Catherine died of a stroke in Tsarskoye Selo, Russia.

Death of Paul I

Mar 11, 1801

Catherine's eldest son, Paul I, died as emperor of Russia.