# Catherine II seizes power (1762)

URL: https://history-russia.com/timeline/1762-catherine-ii-seizes-power
Categories: ruler-change

On 9 July 1762 (N.S.) Catherine, with Grigory Orlov and the Guards, overthrew her husband Peter III and was proclaimed empress. Peter was killed days later at Ropsha. Catherine had no hereditary claim to the throne. The coup began the 34-year reign of Catherine the Great.

## Why it matters
The coup began the 34-year reign of Catherine the Great.

Ruler at the time: [Peter III](https://history-russia.com/rulers/peter-iii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Catherine the Great](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_the_Great)
- [Wikipedia — Peter III of Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_III_of_Russia)
- [Wikipedia — Russian Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Empire)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Catherine II seizes power](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Catherine+II+seizes+power)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of Russian history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Russian_history)