Catherine II, or Catherine the Great, ruled Russia from 1762 to 1796, ascending to power after deposing her husband. Her reign, shaped by Enlightenment ideals, ushered in a golden age for Russia. She fostered cultural and scientific growth, established new cities and institutions, encouraged European immigration, and elevated Russia's standing to a major European power.
In 1917, the Russian monarchy was abolished, ending the Romanov dynasty's reign. The Great Imperial Crown, used in coronation ceremonies since 1762, ceased to be a symbol of imperial power.