1547    Ivan IV of Russia aka Ivan the Terrible becomes Tsar of Russia.

1613    Mikhail I is elected unanimously as Tsar by a national assembly, beginning the Romanov dynasty of Imperial Russia.

1676    Feodor III becomes Tsar of Russia.

1698    In an effort to Westernize his nobility, Tsar Peter I of Russia imposes a tax on beards for all men except the clergy and peasantry.

1703    Tsar Peter the Great founds the city of Saint Petersburg.

1727    Peter II becomes Tsar of Russia.

1762    Catherine II becomes tsar of Russia upon the murder of Peter III of Russia.

1801    Tsar Paul I of Russia is struck with a sword, then strangled, and finally trampled to death in his bedroom at St. Michael's Castle.

1855    Alexander II becomes Tsar of Russia.

1861    Emancipation reform of 1861 in Russia: Tsar Alexander II signs the emancipation reform into law, abolishing Russian serfdom.

1894    Nicholas II becomes the new Tsar of Russia after his father, Alexander III, dies.

1896    Nicholas II becomes Tsar of Russia.

1905    Tsar Nicholas II of Russia agrees to create an elected assembly, the Duma.

1905    Czar Nicholas II of Russia signs a document of amnesty for political prisoners.

1917    Czar Nicholas II of Russia abdicates the Russian throne and his brother the Grand Duke becomes Tsar.