On July 9, 1762, Catherine the Great became the ruler of Russia following the coup that deposed her husband, Tsar Peter III. Her accession marked the beginning of her long and impactful reign, during which she expanded Russian territories and modernized its society along Western European lines. Catherine’s rule is noted for her efforts to promote education, the arts, and the enlightenment of Russian society, as well as her political astuteness that solidified her legacy as one of the most powerful female monarchs in history.
