By: HISTORY.com Editors

1725

Peter the Great dies

HISTORY.com Editors

Published: February 09, 2010

Last Updated: January 30, 2025

On February 8, 1725, Peter the Great, emperor of Russia, dies and is succeeded by his wife, Catherine I.

Romanov Family

Did the Romanovs survive? Get the full story.

The reign of Peter, who became sole czar in 1696, was characterized by a series of sweeping military, political, economic, and cultural reforms based on Western European models. Russian victories in major conflicts with Persia and the Ottoman Empire greatly expanded Peter’s empire, and the defeat of Sweden in the Great Northern War won Russia direct access to the Baltic Sea. Here, Peter founded the new Russian capital of St. Petersburg, and Russia became a major European power–politically, culturally, and geographically. In 1721, Peter abandoned the traditional Russian title of czar in favor of the European-influenced title of emperor. Four years later, he died.

Why Peter the Great Tortured and Killed His Own Son

The terrified tsarevich volunteered to relinquish his claim to the throne, but that wasn't enough to appease his powerful father.

Seated Tsar Peter I of Russia, also known as Peter the Great, with his son tsarevich Alexei Petrovich. (Credit: Culture Club/Getty Images)

By: Jesse Greenspan

Timeline

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Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on February 8th

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1862

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1887

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1904

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1915

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1924

First execution by lethal gas

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1936

Jay Berwanger picked No. 1 in first NFL draft

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1943

Americans secure Guadalcanal

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American troops unloading supplies on the shores of Guadalcanal Island.

1949

Cardinal Mindszenty of Hungary sentenced

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1960

Construction begins on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

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1968

Three protesters die in the Orangeburg Massacre

On the night of February 8, 1968, police officers in Orangeburg, South Carolina open fire on a crowd of young people during a protest against racial segregation, killing three and wounding around 30 others. The killing of three young African Americans by state officials, four years after racial discrimination had been outlawed by federal law, […]

1978

New England digs out after blizzard

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1983

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1986

Spud Webb, 5’7″, wins NBA dunk contest

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1990

Del Shannon, a ’60s songwriter, dies of a self-inflicted gunshot wound

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Citation Information

Article title: Peter the Great dies
Author: HISTORY.com Editors
Website Name: History
URL: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/february-8/peter-the-great-dies

Date Accessed: April 29, 2025
Publisher: A&E Television Networks
Last Updated: January 30, 2025
Original Published Date: February 09, 2010

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