By: HISTORY.com Editors

1725

Peter the Great dies

HISTORY.com Editors

Published: February 09, 2010

Last Updated: May 27, 2025

On February 8, 1725, Peter the Great, emperor of Russia, dies and is succeeded by his wife, Catherine I.

Romanov Family

Did the Romanovs survive? Get the full story.

The reign of Peter, who became sole czar in 1696, was characterized by a series of sweeping military, political, economic, and cultural reforms based on Western European models. Russian victories in major conflicts with Persia and the Ottoman Empire greatly expanded Peter’s empire, and the defeat of Sweden in the Great Northern War won Russia direct access to the Baltic Sea. Here, Peter founded the new Russian capital of St. Petersburg, and Russia became a major European power–politically, culturally, and geographically. In 1721, Peter abandoned the traditional Russian title of czar in favor of the European-influenced title of emperor. Four years later, he died.

Why Peter the Great Tortured and Killed His Own Son

The terrified tsarevich volunteered to relinquish his claim to the throne, but that wasn't enough to appease his powerful father.

Seated Tsar Peter I of Russia, also known as Peter the Great, with his son tsarevich Alexei Petrovich. (Credit: Culture Club/Getty Images)

By: Jesse Greenspan

Timeline

Also on This Day in History

Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on February 8th

1587

Mary, Queen of Scots beheaded

After 19 years of imprisonment, Mary, Queen of Scots is beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in England for her complicity in a plot to murder Queen Elizabeth I. In 1542, while just six days old, Mary ascended to the Scottish throne upon the death of her father, King James V. Her mother sent her to be […]

1:40m read

1862

The Union captures Roanoke Island

Union General Ambrose Burnside scores a major victory when his troops capture Roanoke Island in North Carolina. It was one of the first major Union victories of the Civil War and gave the Yankees control of the mouth of Albemarle Sound, allowing them to threaten the Rebel capital of Richmond, Virginia, from the south. During […]

1:28m read

1887

Dawes Severalty Act approved, ending tribal control of land

In a well-meaning but ultimately flawed attempt to assimilate Native Americans, President Grover Cleveland signs an act to end tribal control of reservations and divide their land into individual holdings. Named for its chief author, Senator Henry Laurens Dawes from Massachusetts, the Dawes Severalty Act reversed the long-standing American policy of allowing Indian tribes to […]

2:00m read

1904

The Russo-Japanese War begins

Following the Russian rejection of a Japanese plan to divide Manchuria and Korea into spheres of influence, Japan launches a surprise naval attack against Port Arthur, a Russian naval base in China. The Russian fleet was decimated. During the subsequent Russo-Japanese War, Japan won a series of decisive victories over the Russians, who underestimated the […]

1:10m read

1915

“The Birth of A Nation” opens in L.A., glorifying the KKK

On February 8, 1915, D.W. Griffith’s The Birth of a Nation, a landmark film in the history of cinema, premieres at Clune’s Auditorium in Los Angeles. The film was America’s first feature-length motion picture and a box-office smash, and during its unprecedented three hours Griffith popularized countless filmmaking techniques that remain central to the art […]

4:34m read

1924

First execution by lethal gas

The first execution by lethal gas in American history is carried out in Carson City, Nevada. The executed man was Gee Jon, a member of a Chinese gang who was convicted of murdering a rival gang member. Lethal gas was adopted by Nevada in 1921 as a more humane method of carrying out its death […]

0:48m read

1936

Jay Berwanger picked No. 1 in first NFL draft

On February 8, 1936, at Philadelphia’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel, University of Chicago halfback Jay Berwanger, the first Heisman Trophy winner, is picked No. 1 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first NFL draft. His rights are traded to the Chicago Bears, but Berwanger never plays for them or any other NFL team. Berwanger’s contract demands were too […]

1:34m read

1943

Americans secure Guadalcanal

Japanese troops evacuate Guadalcanal, leaving the island in Allied possession. The American victory paved the way for other Allied wins in the Solomon Islands.

2:02m read

American troops unloading supplies on the shores of Guadalcanal Island.

1949

Cardinal Mindszenty of Hungary sentenced

Cardinal József Mindszenty, the highest Catholic official in Hungary, is convicted of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment by the Communist People’s Court. Outraged observers in Western Europe and the United States condemned both the trial and Mindszenty’s conviction as “perversions” and “lynchings.” Mindszenty was no stranger to political persecution. During World War II, Hungary’s fascist government […]

2:00m read

1960

Construction begins on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

An idea floated by a Hollywood business leader in 1953 comes to fruition on February 8, 1960, when construction begins on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—today one of the Los Angeles area’s main tourist attractions. The Hollywood Walk of Fame’s history goes back to 1953, when E.M. Stuart, volunteer president of the Hollywood Chamber of […]

2:22m read

1968

Three protesters die in the Orangeburg Massacre

On the night of February 8, 1968, police officers in Orangeburg, South Carolina open fire on a crowd of young people during a protest against racial segregation, killing three and wounding around 30 others. The killing of three young African Americans by state officials, four years after racial discrimination had been outlawed by federal law, […]

2:04m read

1978

New England digs out after blizzard

A classic “Nor’easter” storm that brought a severe blizzard to New England finally subsides on February 8, 1978, and the region begins to dig out from under several feet of snow. Over the previous 72 hours, some areas of Rhode Island and Massachusetts had received as many as 55 inches of snow. Three major weather […]

2:02m read

1983

Irish race horse stolen

Gunmen steal the champion Irish race horse Shergar from a stud farm owned by the Aga Khan in County Kildare, Ireland. The five-year-old thoroughbred stallion, named European horse of the year in 1981, was worth $13.5 million and commanded stud fees of approximately $100,000. On the night of the heist, armed men arrived at the […]

1:40m read

1986

Spud Webb, 5’7″, wins NBA dunk contest

On February 8, 1986, Spud Webb, who at 5’7” was one of the shortest players in the history of professional basketball, wins the NBA slam dunk contest, beating his Atlanta Hawks teammate and 1985 dunk champ, the 6’8” Dominique Wilkins. Anthony Jerome “Spud” Webb was born July 13, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. Throughout his life, […]

1:52m read

1990

Del Shannon, a ’60s songwriter, dies of a self-inflicted gunshot wound

Born Charles Westover in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1934, the singer-songwriter known as Del Shannon dies by suicide on February 8, 1990. In a period when the American pop charts were dominated by cookie-cutter teen idols and novelty acts, he stood out as an all-too-rare example of an American pop star whose work reflected real […]

2:06m read

1994

Jack Nicholson smashes windshield in episode of road rage

Years later, he would play a therapist counseling Adam Sandler in the black comedy Anger Management (2003), but on February 8, 1994, it was the Oscar-winning actor Jack Nicholson who let his anger get out of control. In a criminal lawsuit filed against the actor, Robert Blank stated that Nicholson, then 56, approached Blank’s Mercedes-Benz […]

2:12m read

Related Articles

European History

The Most Contentious Royal Sibling Feuds Through History

Royal brothers and sisters have squabbled through the ages—often leading to war.

European History

How Long Have People Feared a ‘World War III’?

The concept of a third world war has been around for a long time—not as something that might happen, but something that <em>will</em>.

The Imperial State Crown in the Jewel House, Tower of London.

European History

7 Facts About British Royal Coronations

The centuries-old ceremony is a mixture of political and religious rites replete in symbolism, tradition and pomp.

King Charles III inspects the Guard of Honour as he arrives for the Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, on September 12, 2022, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

European History

What Is the Monarch’s Role in British Government?

Gone are the days of absolute monarchy. Today, the ruler's duties are merely ceremonial.

See All Articles

About the author

HISTORY.com Editors

HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen, Christian Zapata and Cristiana Lombardo.

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

Citation Information

Article title: Peter the Great dies
Author: HISTORY.com Editors
Website Name: History
URL: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/february-8/peter-the-great-dies

Date Accessed: July 04, 2025
Publisher: A&E Television Networks
Last Updated: May 27, 2025
Original Published Date: February 09, 2010

History Every Day

Sign Up for "This Day in History"

Uncover fascinating moments from the past every day! Learn something new with key events in history, from the American Revolution to pop culture, crime and more.

By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Global Media. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.

More details: Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact Us