On This Day August 21

In 1744, the Russian Tsarina Elizabeth selected the German Princess Sophie as the wife for her chosen successor, her uncouth, unstable and drunken nephew, Grand Duke Peter. Sophie changed her name to "Catherine" when she accepted the Russian Orthodox faith and they married on August 21, 1745. Peter humiliated and neglected his wife and wasted hours playing with his toy soldiers on the floor and under the bed clothes. He was assassinated in July 1762, six months after becoming Peter III. Catherine (most commonly known as Catherine the Great) became empress regnant of All Russia upon the overthrow of her husband, reigning until 1796. 

Catherine the Great and Peter III

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