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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: Korean War: Operation Ripper: United Nations troops led by General Matthew... (1951)

On March 7, 1951: Korean War: Operation Ripper: United Nations troops led by General Matthew Ridgway begin an assault against Chinese forces. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

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Historical

On This Day: World War II: Ninety-nine civilians are hanged from lampposts and balconies by... (1944)

On June 9, 1944: World War II: Ninety-nine civilians are hanged from lampposts and balconies by German troops in Tulle, France, in reprisal for maquisards attacks. 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 I: U-boat campaign: Two days after the United Kingdom had declared war... (1914)

On August 6, 1914: World War I: U-boat campaign: Two days after the United Kingdom had declared war on Germany over the German invasion of Belgium, ten German U-boats leave their base in Heligoland to attack Royal Navy warships in the North Sea.

Universalleadership

Historical

On This Day: The Convention of Constantinople is signed, guaranteeing free maritime passage... (1888)

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

Universalfreedompeace

Historical

On This Day: World War II: The Koli Point action begins during the Guadalcanal campaign and... (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: French Revolution: Ninety dissident Roman Catholic priests are executed by... (1793)

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: Retreat from Gettysburg: The Confederate Army of Northern... (1863)

Lee withdraws from the battlefield after losing the Battle of Gettysburg, signaling an end to his last invasion of the North. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: As the Treaty of Saigon is signed, ceding parts of southern Vietnam to France,... (1862)

On June 5, 1862: As the Treaty of Saigon is signed, ceding parts of southern Vietnam to France, the guerrilla leader Trương Định decides to defy Emperor Tự Đức of Vietnam and fight on against the Europeans.

Universalleadershippeace

Historical

On This Day: Coronation of Franz Joseph as King of Hungary following the Austro-Hungarian... (1867)

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: Dano-Swedish War of 1808-1809: The Battle of Trangen took place at Trangen in... (1808)

On April 25, 1808: Dano-Swedish War of 1808-1809: The Battle of Trangen took place at Trangen in Flisa, Hedemarkens Amt, between Swedish and Norwegian troops. 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: Battle of Iwo Jima: About 30,000 United States Marines land on the... (1945)

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: Battle of Wilhelmsthal: The British-Hanoverian army of Ferdinand of Brunswick... (1762)

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: War of the First Coalition: A surprise Austrian attack at the Battle of Voltri... (1796)

On April 10, 1796: War of the First Coalition: A surprise Austrian attack at the Battle of Voltri marks the beginning of the Italian Campaign of 1796-1797, the decisive campaign under Napoleon Bonaparte that will end the war a year later.

Universaldiscovery

Historical

On This Day: The Science Museum in London comes into existence as an independent entity. (1909)

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

Universalfreedomdiscovery

Historical

On This Day: Albania declares its independence from the Ottoman Empire. (1912)

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: Robert the Bruce of Scotland defeats King Edward II of England at the Battle of... (1322)

On October 14, 1322: Robert the Bruce of Scotland defeats King Edward II of England at the Battle of Old Byland, forcing Edward to accept Scotland's independence. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation.

Universalfreedomleadership

Historical

On This Day: Holy Roman Emperor Otto II is defeated by the Saracens in the Battle of Capo... (982)

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 Revolution: A Royal Navy fleet led by Admiral George Rodney defeats a... (1782)

On April 12, 1782: American Revolution: A Royal Navy fleet led by Admiral George Rodney defeats a French fleet led by the Comte de Grasse at the Battle of the Saintes off Dominica in the Caribbean Sea.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: World War II: Attack on Aruba, first World War II German shots fired on a land... (1942)

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: World War II: Off Guadalcanal, United States Navy ships intercept and defeat a... (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: The Greek-Serbian Treaty of Alliance is signed, paving the way for the Second... (1913)

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: In a treaty between Sweden and Hanover at the close of the Great Northern War,... (1719)

On November 9, 1719: In a treaty between Sweden and Hanover at the close of the Great Northern War, Sweden cedes the Duchies of Bremen and Verden (in northern Germany) to Hanover.

Universalpeace

Historical

On This Day: Vietnam War: North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces attack Australian troops... (1968)

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: Poland and the Holy Roman Empire conclude the Peace of Bautzen. (1018)

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