Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, ruling from 1894 until his abdication in 1917. He was born on May 18, 1868, and became known for his conservative policies and resistance to political reform. His reign saw significant events, including the Russo-Japanese War and the Russian Revolution. Nicholas II and his family were executed by Bolsheviks in 1918, marking the end of the Romanov dynasty that had ruled for over 300 years. In 2000, he was canonized as a martyr by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, reflecting his enduring legacy in Russian history.