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Catherine the Great takes the throne

On July 9, 1762, Grand Duchess Catherine Alekseyevna (Catherine the Great) led a coup that ousted her husband Peter III. 

“Had it been my fate to have a husband whom I could love, I would never have changed towards him.” 

Alexander Kernosov's Catherine the Great souvenir sheet
275th Birth Anniversary of Catherine II (The Great)
Part of the History of Russian State series
Issued by Russia in 2004
Designer: Alexander Kernosov

If you are are looking for a quick primer on Catherine, try Catherine the Great: sex, slander and absolute power | Art UK. It’s approachable and fascinating. BBC’s page is factual, if a bit bland BBC – History – Catherine the Great. 
The True History Behind ‘The Great’ and Catherine the Great | Smithsonian (smithsonianmag.com) is a good place to separate the myth and nonsense behind her story.