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A Future Empress is Born
Catherine the Great was born on May 2nd, 1729 in Stettin, Germany. Her original name was Sophia Augusta Fredericka of Anhalt-Zerbst. She was the first child of 39-year-old Prince Christian August of Anhalt-Zerbst, and 17-year-old Princess Johanna Elizabeth of Holstein-Gottorp.
This event is significant because Sophia would later be know as Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia.
Sources: (Blumberg, 28) & (Rounding, 7) -
Sophia Becomes Catherine
On June 28th 1774, Sophia arrived in Russia and was granted admittance into the Orthodox Church under the name of Catherine. The following day, there was a betrothal ceremony for Catherine and her future husband. The service took place at Golovin Palace on the outskirts of Moscow.
The significance of this event is that from this day forward, Sophia would now be known as Catherine.
Souces: (Rounding, 33) -
Catherine gets Married
Catherine marries Grand Duke Karl Peter Ulrich of Holstein-Gottorp on August 21st, 1745 at 16 years old. At the time of their marriage, she saw Peter as lacking intelligence and being physically repulsive. It is documented that Peter not only alienated Catherine but also engaged in public romantic affairs.
The significance of this event is that it explains Catherine's disdain for her husband.
Sources: (Blumberg, 28) & (Warnes 129) -
Invention of the Lightning Rod
On June 1st 1752, Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning conductor. During a lightning storm, he attached a metal key to a kite. When the kite was struck by lightning, Franklin prooved that lightning was electricity. He used this knowledge to construct a lightning rod that would attract lightning.
This event is significant because it prevented destruction during storms.
Sources: (Grun, 347) (History.com) -
Catherine's Love Affairs (1753-1790)
Cathereine is well known throughout history for her love affairs. She gave birth to two other children that were not fathered by Peter. She also was know to give these men high political roles.
This event is significant becuase some of these men played prominent roles in her regime, and attributed to her success.
Sources: (Warnes, 136) -
Catherine's Son is Born
After two miscarriages, Catherine gices birth to her son on September 20th, 1754. Paul is recognized as the only son of Peter III, however there is speculation as to whether this is true. He was raised under the care of Empress Elizabeth.
The signifiance of this event is that Paul would later become Cathereines successor.
Sources: (Warnes, 129-146) -
Catherine Gains Power
After the death of Elizabeth on December 25th 1761, Peter succeeded the throne to become emperor. However, a plot was devised by the Orlov brothers and other officers to overthrow Peter. Catherine was not only aware, but also approved of this plan.
After his murder in June the following year, Catthereine was proclaimed Empress and given sovereign power.
This event is significant because it awards Catherine sole power over Russia.
Sources: (Blumberg, 28) & (Rounding, 130) -
Mozart's European Tour
In 1762, starting on January 9th, Wolfgang Amadues Mozart went on a European tour. At the time, he was a 6-year-old musical prodigy. This is he first of many tours throughout Mozarts life.
This event is gignificant because it marked the beginning of his carreer and Mozarts influence on the music community.
Sources: (History.com) -
Catherine's Educational Ideals (1763- 1786)
During her reign, Catherine developed many educational advances. On November 12th 1763, she established a medical college. In 1782, she founded the Smolny Institute and appointed a Commission on national education. Additionally, in 1786, her statute on national schools mandated a high school in every capital and a primary school in every district.
These events are significant because they are the foundation of Russia's educational insitutuions.
Sources: (Roounding, 177-417) & (Warnes, 138) -
Catherine's Legislative Commission
On July 30th 1767, Catherine elected a legislative commission to discuss a new code of laws. In addition she presented her written work "Bolshoi Nakaz" meaning "great instruction". It was inspired by Voltaire and defined Russia as an absolute monarchy.
This event is signigicant because it gives insight and ideas into the values of the Empress.
Sources: (Rounding, 201) & (Warnes, 132) -
Catherine Expands Russia (1774-1795)
On July 21st 1774, Catherine began expanding the borders of the Russian Empire. As a result of the Turkish wars, Russia acquired territory along the Black Sea to include ports for shipping. Catherine also gained territory in Poland by crushing the revolution during the Polish Partitions.
This event is significant because Cathereine enlarged Russia, giving them more power.
Sources: (Warnes, 134-141) -
U.S Postal Service
On July 5th 1775, the U.S postal service was established. Benjamin Franklin was the 1st post master general. There are 40,000 post offices in the U.S and mail is delivered to Puerto Rico, Guam, the American Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.
This event is significant because the U.S postal service is currently used today.
Sources: (History.com) -
1st Use of Submarine in Warfare
Submarines were first built in the 1600's, but were not used for warfare until September 7th, 1776. A Yale University student, David Bushnell, began building underwater mines. They used submarines to attach these mines to enemy ships, but these first couple atempts were not successful.
This event is significant because using submarines in warfare would later become perfected, and result in significant death and damage.
Sources: (History.com) -
1st Person Executed by Guillotine
On April 25th 1792, Nicolas-Jacques Pelletier was the first person to be executed by the guillotine. Pelletier was sentenced to die in December 1791, for robbery and murder. The idea for capital punishment first came about in 1789 by Doctor Joseph-Ignace Guillotine. The guillotine was perfected by doctor Antoine Louis while testing the device on sheep and calves.
This event is significant because it started the popularity of the guillotine, which would execute many people.
Sources: (History.com) -
Invention of the Cotton Gin
On April 23rd 1793, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. The cotton gin was a machine that removed the seeds from cotton plants. As a result, farmers increased slavery in order to produce more cotton plants. Cotton later became America's leading exort in the 1800's.
This event is significant becase it helped institutionalize slavery in the southern United States.
Sources: (History.com) -
Catherine Dies
Catherine the Great suffered a stroke on November 5th, 1796. She never regained consciousness, and died the following day. She was buried in St. Petersburg, in the imperial Romanov mausoleum at the Peter and Paul Fortress.
This event is significant because is ended the reign of Catherine the Great.
Sources: (Blumberg, 29) & (Warnes, 145)
