Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) By Seth Yager Dec 3, 1533 Ivan's father, Grand Prince Vasily III, dies Apr 3, 1538 Mother, Elena Glinsky, dies (possibly poisoned) 1543 Ivan orders his first execution Feb 3, 1547 Marries Anastaysia Romanovna 1553 Nearly dies from severe fever sickness Mar 28, 1554 Son Tsarevich Ivan is born 1555 Cathedral of St. Basil built to honor victory at Kazan 1560 Mental illness worsens, paranoia increases, executes many Aug 7, 1560 Wife Anastaysia dies Apr 30, 1564 Loyal friend Andrey Kurbsky defects to Poland 1565 Forms Oprichniki to murder all betrayers. Reign of Terror begins Jan 5, 1565 Ivan threatens to abdicate, gains unlimited power 1570 Murders 30,000 citizens in Novgorod 1570 Maries 5 different wives over 9 years 1571 Moscow burned by the Crimeans Nov 19, 1581 Murders his own son/heir to throne in a fit of rage
