Birth of Ivan the Terrible
Birth of Ivan the Terrible, the 1st Tsar of Russia
Role range: 1547-1584
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Ivan IV the Terrible Biography and Timeline
Follow Ivan IV the Terrible through 26 dated historical records for Russia.
Ivan IV the Terrible, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
26Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1520–1584Years on this page
1520
1533
Succession
Rules under the Regency of his Mother, 1533-1538
Role range: 1547-1584
1546
Succession
Assumes full power
Role range: 1547-1584
1547
Coronation
Coronation of Ivan IV the Terrible, the 1st Russian Tsar
Role range: 1547-1584
Constitution of Russia
Renewal of the Empire through absolute autocracy
Role range: 1547-1584
Coronation
Crowned Tsar of Russia, 1st Tsar. 1st Russian ruler to use the title of Tsar formally
Role range: 1547-1584
Marriage
Marries Anastasiya Romanovna
Role range: 1547-1584
1549
Constitution of Russia
Convenes the 1st National Assembly, Zemski Sobor
Role range: 1547-1584
National Assembly
Convenes the 1st National Assembly, Zemski Sobor
Role range: 1547-1584
1550
Petition
Under a "Petitions Chancery" individuals can bring their grievances to the Tsar
Role range: 1547-1584
Reform of Legal System
The Law Code, sudebnik, is promulgated
Role range: 1547-1584
1552
Rule of Astrakhan
Ivan IV of Russia begins his conquest of Kazan, Tatarstan, and Astrakhan in the Volga delta
Role range: 1547-1584
Rule of Kazan
Ivan IV of Russia begins his conquest of Kazan, Tatarstan, and Astrakhan in the Volga delta
Role range: 1547-1584
Rule of Tatarstan
Ivan IV of Russia begins his conquest of Kazan, Tatarstan, and Astrakhan in the Volga delta
Role range: 1547-1584
Capture of Kazan
Captures Kazan
1555
Rule of Pyatigorsk
Proclaims the Kingdom of Pyatigorsk to be under Russian rule
Role range: 1547-1584
1556
Capture of Astrakhan
Captures Astrakhan
1557
Invasion of Poland
Ivan IV the Terrible invades Poland
1558
Declaration of War
Beginning of the Livonian War
Role range: 1558-1583 – 1547-1584
1560
St Basils Cathedral
Ivan IV (the Terrible) builds St. Basils Cathedral, Red Square, Moscow; painted onion domes become symbol of Russia, epitome of Russo-Byzantine architecture
Role range: 1547-1584
1563
Printing Press
Ivan IV orders first printing press brought to Russia
Role range: 1547-1584
1571
Capture of Moscow
Seizure & burning of Moscow
1581
Capture of Siberia
Captures Siberia
Invasion of Russia
Stephen Bathory of Poland invades Russia
Role range: 1547-1584
1584
Assassination of Ivan
Kills his son Ivan
Role range: 1547-1584
Death of Ivan IV the Terrible
Death of Ivan, Ivan IVs son
Role range: 1547-1584
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.