Catherine I of Russia Crowned

May 7, 1725

A Livonian peasant girl who had been Peter the Great's laundress, mistress, second wife, and empress-consort, succeeded him on the throne with the guards' support. She was illiterate and adored. Menshikov effectively ruled. Her two-year reign would open Russia's century of female monarchs: Anna, Elizabeth, Catherine the Great. No other European dynasty would entrust power to women so repeatedly, or so successfully.