Year by year · 7th century

690 CE

690 CE in world history: 3 events, 1 death and 1 state founded. 256 recorded states existed that year.

Events

  1. 16 October

    Wu Zetian proclaims herself emperor of China

    Wu Zetian, long the power behind the Tang throne, took the title of emperor and founded her own Zhou dynasty. She remains the only woman to rule China in her own name, and expanded recruitment by examination.

    Tang DynastyWu Zetian
ProfileState179 states with a known seat in 690 CEOpen the atlas at 690 CE →

In the profiles

  • Tang DynastyWu Zetian proclaims her own Zhou dynasty, interrupting Tang rule until 705
  • ShintoThe first ritual rebuilding of the Grand Shrine of Ise

Died in 690 CE 1

States founded 1

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). 690 CE. In The Epoch Institute, Year by Year. https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/690
MLA
“690 CE.” The Epoch Institute, Year by Year, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/690. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “690 CE.” The Epoch Institute, Year by Year. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/690.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘690 CE’, The Epoch Institute, Year by Year. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/690 (Accessed: ).