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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: Odawa Chief Pontiac's forces defeat British troops at the Battle of Bloody Run... (1763)

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: Riots in Chile's capital Santiago escalate into open battles, with attacks... (2019)

On October 18, 2019: Riots in Chile's capital Santiago escalate into open battles, with attacks reported at nearly all of the city's 164 Metro stations. President Sebastián Piñera later announces a 15-day state of emergency in the capital.

Universalleadership

Historical

On This Day: Cultural Revolution: People's Daily posted the instructions of Mao Zedong that... (1968)

On December 22, 1968: Cultural Revolution: People's Daily posted the instructions of Mao Zedong that "The intellectual youth must go to the country, and will be educated from living in rural poverty." This historical event can serve as a powerful...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Seven Years' War: Frederick the Great suffers a rare defeat at the Battle of... (1758)

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: Sliced bread is sold for the first time (on the inventor's 48th birthday) by the... (1928)

On July 7, 1928: Sliced bread is sold for the first time (on the inventor's 48th birthday) by the Chillicothe Baking Company of Chillicothe, Missouri. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact.

Universalleadershipdiscovery

Historical

On This Day: Eighty Years' War: Siege of Antwerp: Antwerp is captured by Spanish forces under... (1585)

On August 17, 1585: Eighty Years' War: Siege of Antwerp: Antwerp is captured by Spanish forces under Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, who orders Protestants to leave the city and as a result over half of the 100,000 inhabitants flee to the northern provinces.

Universalreformation

Historical

On This Day: The United Kingdom recognizes Bahrain's independence, which is commemorated... (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, leadership.

Universalfreedomleadership

Historical

On This Day: American Civil War: The Union's Army of the Tennessee and the Army of the Ohio... (1862)

On April 7, 1862: American Civil War: The Union's Army of the Tennessee and the Army of the Ohio defeat the Confederate Army of Mississippi near Shiloh, Tennessee. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: History of Slovenia: In a referendum, 88.5% of Slovenia's overall electorate... (1990)

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: Chinese Civil War: Establishment of the People's Liberation Army Navy. (1949)

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

Universalfreedomleadership

Historical

On This Day: The world's first parking meter is installed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (1935)

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

Universalleadershipdiscovery

Historical

On This Day: Bosnia's Bosniaks and Croats sign the Washington Agreement, ending war between... (1994)

On March 18, 1994: Bosnia's Bosniaks and Croats sign the Washington Agreement, ending war between the Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and establishing the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Universalleadership

Historical

On This Day: Boris Yeltsin's funeral: The first to be sanctioned by the Russian Orthodox... (2007)

On April 25, 2007: Boris Yeltsin's funeral: The first to be sanctioned by the Russian Orthodox Church for a head of state since the funeral of Emperor Alexander III in 1894. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon...

Universalfaithdiscovery

Historical

On This Day: Representatives of the People's Republic of China attend the United Nations,... (1971)

On November 23, 1971: Representatives of the People's Republic of China attend the United Nations, including the United Nations Security Council, for the first time. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human discovery.

Universaldiscovery

Historical

On This Day: Pope John Paul II canonizes Lebanon's first female saint, Saint Rafqa. (2001)

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: The Battle of al-Harrah concludes, with Yazid I's army killing 11,000 people of... (683)

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: William Shakespeare's play, The Merchant of Venice, is entered on the... (1598)

By decree of Queen Elizabeth, the Stationers' Register licensed printed works, giving the Crown tight control over all published material. 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: Thirty Years' War: Four thousand Swedish troops under Gustavus Adolphus land in... (1630)

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: China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched an attack on Indian posts at... (1967)

On September 11, 1967: China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched an attack on Indian posts at Nathu La, Sikkim, India, which resulted in military clashes. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation.

Universalfreedomhope

Historical

On This Day: The Ten Years' War begins against Spanish rule in Cuba. (1868)

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 first Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, a two-day event,... (1848)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's heart for justice and righteousness. Consider using it when preaching about justice, discovery, human-rights.

Universaljusticediscovery

Historical

On This Day: During the Hundred Years' War, Anglo-Breton forces defeat the Franco-Breton army... (1364)

On September 29, 1364: During the Hundred Years' War, Anglo-Breton forces defeat the Franco-Breton army in Brittany, ending the War of the Breton Succession. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Nine Years' War: Battle of Curlew Pass: Irish forces led by Hugh Roe O'Donnell... (1599)

On August 15, 1599: Nine Years' War: Battle of Curlew Pass: Irish forces led by Hugh Roe O'Donnell successfully ambush English forces, led by Sir Conyers Clifford, sent to relieve Collooney Castle.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Seneca warriors defeat British forces at the Battle of Devil's Hole during... (1763)

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