Dates from his life

24 January 1712: born as the son of future king Frederick Wilhelm I and his wife Sophie Dorothea of Hanover

1716: Duhan de Jandun, a Huguenot, becomes his teacher

1730: Father-son conflict comes to a climax. Attempt to escape to Steinsfurt fails. His friend Hans Hermann von Katte is beheaded in Küstrin for aiding the escape

1733: Marriage to Elisabeth Christine of Braunschweig-Bevern

1734: Frederick visits Prince Eugene in Philippsburg

1736: Crown prince and spouse move into Rheinsberger Palace

31.05.1740: His father dies – Frederick becomes King of Prussia.
As an enlightened absolutist, he outlaws torture, installs freedom of religion.
(Everyone should choose their religion as they please!), forbids infanticide by drowning in a sack and introduces improvements in military sciences.
First Silesian War begins (1740-1742).

1744: Second Silesian War begins (1744-46). Construction of canals in order to improve supply for agriculture and commerce

1747: Inauguration of Sanssouci PalaceLand reclamation in Oder marsh lands, colonist settlement
Reforms in administration, legislation and legal procedure

1750: Rearrangement of the mint

1756: Beginning of the Seven Years’ War (1756-63)

1763: Frederick takes over Royal Prussian Porcelain Manufacturer

1765: Foundation of the Clearing and Loan Bank in Berlin

1768: Oder and Netze marsh lands are drained – land is won during times of peace

1772: First Prussian Maritime OperationsTreaty with Austria and Russia – 1st Partition of Poland

1779: Rearrangement of the justice system

17.08.1786: 2:20 a.m.: Friedrich dies at Sanssouci Palace,
Sepulture at the Garnisonkirche in Potsdam

1945: Casket transferred to Marburg, later to Hohenzollern Castle

17.08.1991: Sepulture on the terrace at Sanssouci Palace