Excerpts from Books and Wikipedia
"The Russian Empire was an empire that extended across Eurasia and North America from 1721, following the end of the Great Northern War, until the Republic was proclaimed by the Provisional Government that took power after the February Revolution of 1917. The third-largest empire in history, at its greatest extent stretching over three continents, Europe, Asia, and North America, the Russian Empire was surpassed in size only by the British and Mongol empires. The rise of the Russian Empire coincided with the decline of neighboring rival powers: the Swedish Empire, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Persia and the Ottoman Empire. It played a major role in 1812–1814 in defeating Napoleon's ambitions to control Europe and expanded to the west and south. The House of Romanov ruled the Russian Empire from 1721 until 1762. Its matrilineal branch of patrilineal German descent, the House of Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov, ruled from 1762 to the end of the empire." [Wikipedia]
After Patriarch Nikon of Moscow, Russia no longer had a church
Religion
1666
Peter the Great travels around Europe to learn how to build Russian navy
Culture
1697
Peter the Great begins building a new capital at St. Petersburg
Geography
1703
Peter the Great establishes Table of Ranks, expands Russia & creates St Petersburg
War
1722
Catherine becomes empress of Russia after seizing power from her husband
Government
1762
At the Peace of Paris, French lose and Poland becomes a satellite of Russia
War
1763
Major defeat of Ottomans by Russian fleet in the Mediterranean Sea
War
1770
Partition of Poland agreed to by Russia, Prussia, and Austria
War
1772
Treaty of Kuchuk-Kainarji marks defeat of Ottoman Empire by Russia
Peace
1774
Russia annexes Crimea from Ottomans under the Treaty of Jassy
Peace
1792
Third partition of Poland follows revolt against Russian rule led by Kosciuszko
War
1795
Tsar Paul I, son of Catherine the Great, is assassinated
Government
1801
Alexander Pushkin, founder of romantic Russian literature, dies after a duel
Arts
1837
Tsar Alexander II emancipates the serfs despite opposition of nobility
Human Rights
1861
Leo Tolstoy publishes first part of "War and Peace"
Arts
1865
Fyodor Dostoevsky publishes "Crime and Punishment"
Arts
1866
Alexander II the "Great Liberator" is assassinated by the People's Will
Government
1881
Leo Tolstoy writes "What I Believe"
Arts
1884
Soldiers massacre about 1,000 workers at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg
Government
1905
Bolsheviks become separate party
Government
1912
Rasputin, personal counselor of the Russian Imperial Family, is murdered
Government
1916
In November, Bolshevik Revolution begins in St. Petersburg
Government
1917
In April, Lenin arrives at St. Petersburg to lead Russian Revolution
Government
1917