In all of Chinese history only one woman ruled as emperor in her own right.
Wu Zetian proclaimed her own Zhou dynasty in 690 and even invented new characters, including one for her own name.
More amazing facts
- 628 · 1202 'Cipher' and 'zero' are the same Arabic word.
- 672 The recipe for Greek fire was guarded so well that it was lost for good.
- 683 · 1968 The 'Palenque astronaut' is a dead Maya king.
- 692 Japan's holiest shrine has been torn down and rebuilt every 20 years since 692.
- 695 · 705 Byzantine emperor Justinian II had his nose cut off in 695 so he could never rule again.
- 705 · 862 A Japanese inn is older than Rus. Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan has been taking guests since 705 — 157 years before the Varangians were invited to rule — and Guinness lists it as the world's oldest hotel.