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Home›Browse by Type›Historical Examples

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Historical Examples

9,198 illustrations — Lessons from history, biography, and world events

Browse Historical Examples by Book

Proverbs (258)Isaiah (233)Matthew (160)Psalms (104)Mark (76)1 Corinthians (63)Galatians (56)Romans (50)Acts (42)2 Corinthians (39)John (36)Revelation (35)Hebrews (25)

Historical

On This Day: Former Warsaw Pact members the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland join NATO. (1999)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when preaching about history.

Universalhistory

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Historical

On This Day: French Revolution: Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, is named by... (1789)

On July 15, 1789: French Revolution: Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, is named by acclamation Colonel General of the new National Guard of Paris. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Hong Kong Island is occupied by the British during the First Opium War. (1841)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human discovery. Consider using it when preaching about discovery.

Universaldiscovery

Historical

On This Day: Bahrain declares independence from Britain. (1971)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using it when preaching about freedom.

Universalfreedom

Historical

On This Day: France, Prussia, Bavaria and Saxony refuse to honour the Pragmatic Sanction, and... (1740)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when preaching about history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Gothic War: Battle of Adrianople: A large Roman army led by Emperor Valens is... (378)

Valens is killed along with over half of his army. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when preaching about history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Estonian authorities remove the Bronze Soldier, a Soviet Red Army war memorial... (2007)

On April 27, 2007: Estonian authorities remove the Bronze Soldier, a Soviet Red Army war memorial in Tallinn, amid political controversy with Russia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Cold War: Hungary begins dismantling its border fence with Austria, which allows... (1989)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when preaching about history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Start of the war in Transnistria. (1992)

On March 2, 1992: Start of the war in Transnistria. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when preaching about history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: American Civil War: Confederate President Jefferson Davis appoints Judah... (1861)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when preaching about leadership.

Universalleadership

Historical

On This Day: Battle of Karnal: The army of Iranian ruler Nader Shah defeats the forces of the... (1739)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when preaching about history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Cold War: Fidel Castro leads an unsuccessful attack on the Moncada Barracks,... (1953)

The movement took the name of the date: 26th of July Movement This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when preaching about history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: US President Ronald Reagan awards the Congressional Gold Medal to Ken Taylor,... (1981)

On June 16, 1981: US President Ronald Reagan awards the Congressional Gold Medal to Ken Taylor, Canada's former ambassador to Iran, for helping six Americans escape from Iran during the hostage crisis of 1979-81; he is the first foreign citizen bestowed the honor.

Universalleadershipdiscovery

Historical

On This Day: Libero Grassi, an Italian businessman from Palermo, is killed by the Sicilian... (1991)

On August 29, 1991: Libero Grassi, an Italian businessman from Palermo, is killed by the Sicilian Mafia after taking a solitary stand against their extortion demands. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact.

Universalleadership

Historical

On This Day: The Soviet Union launches Venera 1 towards Venus. (1961)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when preaching about history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, defeats a French army under Marshal... (1706)

On May 23, 1706: John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, defeats a French army under Marshal François de Neufville, duc de Villeroy at the Battle of Ramillies. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the enduring nature of faith through history.

Universalfaith

Historical

On This Day: Independence of Rwanda and Burundi. (1962)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using it when preaching about freedom.

Universalfreedom

Historical

On This Day: After the Milwaukee Bridge War, the United States towns of Juneautown and... (1846)

On January 31, 1846: After the Milwaukee Bridge War, the United States towns of Juneautown and Kilbourntown unify to create the City of Milwaukee. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: The Second Opium War finally ends at the Convention of Peking with the... (1860)

On October 18, 1860: The Second Opium War finally ends at the Convention of Peking with the ratification of the Treaty of Tientsin, an unequal treaty. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's heart for justice and righteousness.

Universaljusticeleadership

Historical

On This Day: Pope Benedict XVI resigns as the pope of the Catholic Church, becoming the first... (2013)

On February 28, 2013: Pope Benedict XVI resigns as the pope of the Catholic Church, becoming the first pope to do so since Pope Gregory XII in 1415. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the...

Universalfaithdiscovery

Historical

On This Day: Battle of Levounion: The Pechenegs are defeated by Byzantine Emperor Alexios I... (1091)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when preaching about history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: The Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union officially ends after the... (1940)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken world. Consider using it when preaching about peace.

Universalpeace

Historical

On This Day: The French Third Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland... (1904)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when preaching about leadership.

Universalleadership

Historical

On This Day: Ugo Vetere, then the mayor of Rome, and Chedli Klibi, then the mayor of... (1985)

On February 5, 1985: Ugo Vetere, then the mayor of Rome, and Chedli Klibi, then the mayor of Carthage, meet in Tunis to sign a treaty of friendship officially ending the Third Punic War which lasted 2,131 years.

Universalpeace