Nicholas II of Russia was the last Emperor of Russia, reigning from 1894 until his abdication in 1917. He was born on May 18, 1868, and was a member of the Romanov dynasty. His reign saw significant events, including the Russo-Japanese War and the Russian Revolution, which ultimately led to the fall of the monarchy. Nicholas II and his family were executed by Bolsheviks in 1918, marking the end of imperial rule in Russia. He was canonized as a martyr by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia in 1981, and his legacy remains a subject of historical debate and interest.