Queen Victoria ruled the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 until her death in 1901. Her time on the throne lasted over 63 years, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history up to that point. The period of her rule is known as the Victorian era, which saw significant changes in industry, politics, science, and the military. During her reign, the British Empire expanded considerably, and in 1876 she was given the title Empress of India by the British parliament. Her leadership coincided with a time of major growth and influence for Britain on the global stage. Queen Victoria remains a central figure in British history due to her lengthy rule and the changes that occurred during her era.