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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: World War II: The Hardest Day air battle, part of the Battle of Britain, takes... (1940)

At that point, it is the largest aerial engagement in history with heavy losses sustained on both sides. 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: World War I: The creation of the Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade, the... (1914)

On September 9, 1914: World War I: The creation of the Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade, the first fully mechanized unit in the British Army. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human discovery.

Universaldiscovery

Historical

On This Day: The Southern Cross expedition led by Carsten Borchgrevink achieved a new... (1900)

On February 16, 1900: The Southern Cross expedition led by Carsten Borchgrevink achieved a new Farthest South of 78° 50'S, making the first landing at the Great Ice Barrier. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact.

Universalleadershipdiscovery

Historical

On This Day: The original Nicene Creed is adopted at the First Council of Nicaea. (325)

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: Mexican-American War: General Zachary Taylor captures Monterrey. (1846)

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 Perry Expedition arrives in Edo Bay with a treaty requesting trade. (1853)

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: World War II: In Bologna, Italy, the Anatomical theatre of the Archiginnasio is... (1944)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about showing Christ-like compassion to others. Consider using it when preaching about compassion.

Universalcompassion

Historical

On This Day: Mary Kies becomes the first woman awarded a U.S. patent, for a technique of... (1809)

On May 5, 1809: Mary Kies becomes the first woman awarded a U.S. patent, for a technique of weaving straw with silk and thread. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human discovery.

Universaldiscovery

Historical

On This Day: Members of the Revolutionary Party of Central American Workers, dressed as... (1985)

On June 19, 1985: Members of the Revolutionary Party of Central American Workers, dressed as Salvadoran soldiers, attack the Zona Rosa area of San Salvador. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: World War II: Allied forces successfully halt the final Axis advance into Egypt. (1942)

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: In Egypt, British archaeologist Howard Carter and his men find the entrance to... (1922)

On November 4, 1922: In Egypt, British archaeologist Howard Carter and his men find the entrance to Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact.

Universalleadership

Historical

On This Day: Aeroflot Flight 2723 crashes into the Caspian Sea off the Absheron Peninsula,... (1966)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's call to courage in the face of adversity. Consider using it when preaching about courage.

Universalcourage

Historical

On This Day: The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is formed. (1964)

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

Universalfreedomhope

Historical

On This Day: After the brief Gollub War, the Teutonic Knights sign the Treaty of Melno with... (1422)

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: French Wars of Religion: Mob violence against thousands of Huguenots in Paris... (1572)

Bartholomew's Day massacre. 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 Sino-Vietnamese War begins. (1979)

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: World War II: The House of Commons in London is damaged by the Luftwaffe in an... (1941)

On May 10, 1941: World War II: The House of Commons in London is damaged by the Luftwaffe in an air raid. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about showing Christ-like compassion to others. Consider using it when preaching about compassion.

Universalcompassion

Historical

On This Day: Syrian civil war: The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) expel the Islamic State of... (2018)

On August 4, 2018: Syrian civil war: The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) expel the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) from the Iraq-Syria border, concluding the second phase of the Deir ez-Zor campaign.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Fahd becomes King of Saudi Arabia upon the death of his brother, Khalid. (1982)

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: The sacking of Rome by the Visigoths ends after three days. (410)

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: Napoleonic Wars: The Battle of Montereau. (1814)

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: Christopher Latham Sholes received a patent for an invention he called the... (1868)

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: A fire in the Winter Palace of Saint Petersburg kills 30 guards. (1837)

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 Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen burns down. (1794)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the enduring nature of faith through history. Consider using it when preaching about faith, discovery.

Universalfaithdiscovery