[January 5] Elizabeth, empress of Russia

Parents: Peter I, Emperor of Russia, and Catherine I, Empress of Russia
Date of birth: 29 December 1709
Royal House: Romanov
Spouse: Alexey Razumovsky

Predecessor: Ivan VI

Reign: 1741 - 1762
Summary: Elizabeth was the daughter of two former Russian monarchs who had been important in the Romanov consolidation of the empire. Following a series of monarchs who ruled after her parents, Elizabeth finally took control from her young cousin who remained imprisoned throuout her reign and never ascended to the throne. That child had the senior claim but lacked the backing of any Russian politicians.

Elizabeth led her country through the War of the Austrian Succession (1740 - 1748) and gained possessions in Germany and Austria for Russia and the Romanovs. She also entered the Seven Years' War (1756 - 1763), though she died before it ended. Her wise political leadership strengthened Russia in this era and brought it in to the modern age. Childless, she chose her nephew from the House of Holstein-Gottorp to be her heir, thereby transferring leadership of Russia to the House of Oldenburg.
Date of Death: 5 January 1762
Successor: Peter III

Other Monarchs Who Died Today:

• Al-Mu'tasim, Abbasid caliph of Sunni Islam (842)
• Edward the Confessor, king of England (1066)
• Peter IV, king of Aragón (1387)
• Christopher, duke of Bavaria (1448)
• Charles, duke of Burgundy (1477)