Ivan the Terrible

Ivan IV Is Born

Aug 25, 1530

Ivan the Terrible was born on August 25, 1530 in Kolomenskoe, Russia to parents Grand Prince Vasilii III and Ielena Glinskaia. However, both his mother and father died while he was still young. When Ivan was born, he was predicted to bring great evil to Russia. This day was very significant because Ivan would grow up to be the first czar of Russia who made many impacts on his country. ("Ivan the Terrible").

First Christmas Tree

Jan 1, 1539

During 1539 at the Strasbourg Cathedral, the world's first Christmas tree was documented. Strasbourg self describes their city as the "Capital City of Christmas" because during the holiday season, Strasbourg transforms into a beautiful city full of lights and decorations. The Cathedral Christmas tree of 1539 is recorded as a Christian decoration that represented worship. Since then, the city of Strasbourg has put up an enormous tree ever year for people to see. (Grun and Werner).

The Start of Physical Geology

Jan 1, 1544

In the year of 1544, Georg Agricola published the book, De Ortu et Causis Subterraneorum, which provided an explanation of physical geology. Agricola is known as the founder of geology and he has provided people with answers about the Earth and its rocks, minerals, and fossils. While most of his time was spent practicing medicine, he also spent a lot of time on observing mining operations. His studies on mining geology allowed him to initiate the study of physical geology.
(Grun and Werner)

Ivan Is Crowned First Czar of Russia

Jan 17, 1547

In January of 1547 Ivan is crowned the first ever czar of Russia. When Ivan came to power he had a goal to transform the chaotic Moscow into a strong and centralized state. He was an absolute monarch who ruled with complete power and he believed he was responsible to God alone. This event is significant because Ivan would become a very strong and successful czar who acts on behalf of his country. ("Ivan the Terrible" 129)

Ivan Expands Into Larger Areas

Jan 1, 1548

Ivan was very smart when managing military affairs. In 1548 Ivan launched his first campaign against the Tatars of the Khanate of Kazan'. They dominated Russian land for two centuries but Ivan finally took over Kazan'. From there, Ivan took over the entire Volga River Basin and the Muscovy also expanded beyond the Ural Mountains which resulted in the conquest of Siberia.
This is significant because Ivan expanded Russia's borders allowing them to gain mast land areas. ("Ivan IV the Terrible 127)

Dutch and Italian Music Styles Combine

Jan 1, 1549

In 1549 Adrian Willaert, a very popular composer in Europe, combined the Dutch and Italian Music styles. Willaert is considered to be one of the most influential figures regarding the history of music. He worked with all different genres of music which proved him to be a very brilliant man. His compositions still remain compelling and amazing today. (Grun and Werner)

Ivan Assembled The Zemsky Sobor

Jan 1, 1550

In 1550 Ivan saw that his country lacked technical skills so he searched Europe for engineers and scholars. With those people, Ivan created the first Zemsky Sobor where all of the clergy, the aristocracy, the service gentry, and the merchants were represented. Its members were appointed and the people did not debate the Czar's proposals.
This function was significant because during a meeting, Ivan promised to be a more admirable ruler. It also caused the remodeling of the law code.(Wallace 80)

Ivan Has the St. Basils Cathedral Is Built

Jan 1, 1552

After Ivan captured Kazan', he ordered that the St. Basils Cathedral be built to mark the completion. This cathedral was named after St. Basil the blessed. He was known as a Moscow miracle worker because he could predict deaths and events that occurred in Moscow. He was the one person who could be blunt with the Czar about his unacceptable behavior.
The building of the St. Basils Cathedral is significant because it celebrated the victory that Ivan held against the Kazan'. (Bos)

Tobacco Brought From Spain to America

Jan 1, 1555

In 1555, tobacco was brought from Spain to America for the first time. This was a very significant event because Tobacco was an important cash crop all around the world. Many people could see the crop becoming a medicine but when it reached most countries, people adopted it for drug use. As it kept spreading around the world, it soon became a foundation for the growth of the American colonies.
(Grun and Werner)

Livonian War

Period: Jan 1, 1558 to Jan 1, 1583

The relationship between England and Russia reinforced Ivan's desire to move closer to the West and he only saw one way of doing it; by cutting his way through the Baltic and obtain a warm-water port. However, in his way was Livonia. In 1558 Ivan attacked the region and was first met with success. Then Poland and Sweden joined Livonia and after 25 years, Russian was defeated.
This war is significant because Russia was put into isolation and it was the start of Ivan's "Bad Reign."
(Wallace 81)

Anastasia Romanovna Dies

Aug 7, 1560

Ivan had a wife whom he deeply loved and her name was Anastasia. She was the only woman that Ivan ever loved and she had a very warm and gentle influence on him. In 1560 when Ivan was 30, Anastasia died of a lingering illness. This left Ivan in a very emotional state.
Anastasia dying is significant because Ivan blamed the boyars for her death and he lashed out at them. There was a massacre in which Ivan killed and tortured every single boyar along with their families and servants. (Wallace 82)

Ivan Establishes the Oprichnina

Jan 1, 1565

Following Ivan's return to Moscow in 1565, he established the Oprichnina. It was made up of men who were part of a secret police and they rode around the country on black horses dressed in all black. People of Russia were terrified of them because the Oprichniks would torture and execute people in the public square.
This event is significant because towns were devastated and frightened. Hundreds and even thousands of people died during the time of the Oprichnina.
("Ivan IV the Terrible" 128)

New Star In the Milky Way

Nov 11, 1572

On November 11, 1572, Tycho Brahe was on his way home when he looked up at the constellation of Cassiopeia. In this constellation there was a star that was shining as bright as Jupiter. The supernova was brilliant and was considered to be equal to Venus. Brahe found this astonishing so he spent the rest of his life devoted to astronomy
(Grun and Werner)

Catacombs of Rome Discovered

May 31, 1578

Christians of Rome were forbidden to bury their dead in regular burial grounds so instead they put them in underground vaults called catacombs. They were built outside of the city and many Christians found their peace there. However, on May 31, 1578 an entrance into the catacombs was found by Antonio Bosio. He then later wrote a book on them describing his discoveries and what he saw.
(Grun and Werner)

Ivan Kills His Own Son

Jan 1, 1581

In 1581, Ivan the Terrible was informed that his daughter-in-law was pregnant. In a fit of rage, Ivan beat her until she had a miscarriage. Angry with his father, Ivan's eldest son argued with him about what he had done to his wife. Ivan was so angry that he struck his son on his head with an iron-tipped staff and killed him.
This event is significant because the death of Ivan's son ended the heir of his family and Ivan felt remorse about his actions.
("Ivan IV the Terrible" 128)

Ivan IV Dies

Mar 18, 1584

Ivan the Terrible died on March 18, 1530 in Moscow Russia. He had been expecting this to happen soon so before his last day, he called upon soothsayers but they seemed to be no help to Ivan. While in the middle of setting up a game of chess, toppled backward onto the floor and died of a stroke.
Ivan's death is significant because after he was gone, Russia spiraled into a catastrophic period full of political and social troubles. Russia did not know what to do without their leader.
("Ivan the Ter