Sophie Auguste Frederike von Anhalt-Zerbst

1729 - Born on the 2nd of May in Stettin.

1725 - Catherine, although not descended from any previous Russian emperor, succeeded her husband, following the precedent established when Catherine I succeeded Peter I.

1762 - Deposed Peter III and assumed power.

1763 - Catherine placed StanisBaw Poniatowski, her former lover, on the Polish throne.

1768-1772 -  Engaged war against Turks.

1783 - Annexed Crimea .

1787 - Engaged 2nd war against Turks.

1789 - Catherine rejected many of the principles of the Enlightenment which she once viewed favorably.

1790 - Catherine took a leading role in the partitions of Poland, afraid that the May Constitution of Poland might lead to a resurgence in the power of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth and that the growing democratic movements inside the commonwealth might become a threat to the European monarchies.

1795 - Participated in partitions of Poland.

1796 - Died in St. Petersburg, Russia on the 17th of November.