Catherine the Great Born: Russia's Transformative Empress
Catherine the Great was German. Born Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst in 1729, she was brought to Russia at 15 to marry the heir to the throne, learned Russian, converted to Russian Orthodoxy, and spent the next 17 years outmaneuvering a husband who despised her. When Peter III became tsar in 1762, she led a coup against him six months later, with the support of the Imperial Guard. He signed his abdication, was arrested, and died in custody eight days later — probably murdered by her allies, possibly with her knowledge. She ruled for 34 years, expanded Russia's borders, corresponded with Voltaire and Diderot, and founded schools, hospitals, and the Hermitage Museum. She died at 67 of a stroke. The story about the horse is false.
May 2, 1729
297 years ago
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