Empress Wu Zetian ascends to the throne of the Tang dynasty and proclaims herself ruler of the Chinese Empire.

Emperor Zetian, personal name Wu Zhao, was the only undisputed female sovereign in the history of China. She had previously held power as the empress consort of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang dynasty from 660 to 683 and as empress dowager during the reigns of her sons, Emperors Zhongzong and Ruizong, between 683 and 690.

She was the sole ruler of the self-styled Zhou dynasty from 690 to 705.

唐后行從圖 (局部) - 武則天
唐后行從圖 (局部) - 武則天 (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Tang Emperor Taizong
Tang Emperor Taizong (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Luoyang 2006 7-29
Luoyang 2006 7-29 (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Epitaph for Yang Shun, general to Empress Wu Zetian, China, Luoyang, Tang dynasty, 693 AD, limestone - Royal Ontario Museum - DSC03576
Epitaph for Yang Shun, general to Empress Wu Zetian, China, Luoyang, Tang dynasty, 693 AD, limestone - Royal Ontario Museum - DSC03576 (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Watch: Wu Zetian: China's First & Only Female Emperor | Empress Who Ruled The World | Timeline

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Sources and further reading: Wikipedia — Wu Zetian (CC BY-SA). Images: Wikimedia Commons.