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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: Following the death of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus at Eboracum (modern... (211)

On February 4, 211: Following the death of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus at Eboracum (modern York, England) while preparing to lead a campaign against the Caledonians, the empire is left in the control of his two quarrelling sons, Caracalla...

Universalpeace

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Historical

On This Day: The Grand Army of the Republic, an American patriotic organization composed of... (1866)

On April 6, 1866: The Grand Army of the Republic, an American patriotic organization composed of Union veterans of the American Civil War, is founded. It lasts until 1956. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact.

Universalleadership

Historical

On This Day: Austro-Prussian War: Italy and Prussia sign a secret alliance against the... (1866)

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: Uttawar forced sterilisations: Mass vasectomy of nearly 800 men of Uttawar... (1976)

On November 6, 1976: Uttawar forced sterilisations: Mass vasectomy of nearly 800 men of Uttawar village, Palwal district, Haryana during India's Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi. 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: The Siege of Antwerp comes to an end. (1914)

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: In the Battle of Glorieta Pass, Union forces stop the... (1862)

On March 28, 1862: American Civil War: In the Battle of Glorieta Pass, Union forces stop the Confederate invasion of the New Mexico Territory. The battle began on March 26. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: The Solomon Islands becomes independent from the United Kingdom. (1978)

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: Residents of Riga and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeat the Livonian Order in... (1298)

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: The Battle of Lund, becomes the bloodiest battle in Scandinavian history. (1676)

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: Confederates defeat a Union attack on Saltville, Virginia. A... (1864)

A massacre of wounded Union prisoners ensues. 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: Coronation of Ferdinand I as the king of Bohemia in Prague. (1527)

On February 24, 1527: Coronation of Ferdinand I as the king of Bohemia in Prague. 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: China launches simultaneous offensives in Ladakh and across the McMahon Line,... (1962)

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: Hijacking of Lufthansa Flight 181 by the Popular Front for the Liberation of... (1977)

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 First transcontinental railroad, linking the eastern and western United... (1869)

On May 10, 1869: The First transcontinental railroad, linking the eastern and western United States, is completed at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory with the golden spike. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact.

Universalleadershipdiscovery

Historical

On This Day: Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons are burned alive by... (1999)

On January 22, 1999: Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons are burned alive by radical Hindus while sleeping in their car in Eastern India. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Premiere performance of The Nutcracker by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in Saint... (1892)

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 Revolutionary War: General George Washington and the Continental Army... (1776)

On December 25, 1776: American Revolutionary War: General George Washington and the Continental Army cross the Delaware River at night to attack Hessian forces serving Great Britain at Trenton, New Jersey, the next day.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: World War II: Altmark incident: The German tanker Altmark is boarded by sailors... (1940)

A total of 299 British prisoners are freed. 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: Bangladesh Liberation War and Indo-Pakistani War of 1971: The surrender of the... (1971)

On December 16, 1971: Bangladesh Liberation War and Indo-Pakistani War of 1971: The surrender of the Pakistan Army brings an end to both conflicts. This is commemorated annually as Victory Day in Bangladesh and Vijay Diwas in India respectively.

Universalfreedomhope

Historical

On This Day: Jacques Cartier is the first European to describe and map the Saint Lawrence... (1534)

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: Cairo Conference: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British... (1943)

On November 22, 1943: World War II: Cairo Conference: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Chinese Premier Chiang Kai-shek meet in Cairo, Egypt, to discuss ways to defeat Japan.

Universalfaithleadership

Historical

On This Day: Glorious Revolution: Battle of the Boyne in Ireland (as reckoned under the... (1690)

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 I: British General Edmund Allenby enters Jerusalem on foot and... (1917)

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: Aleutian Islands Campaign: Imperial Japanese soldiers begin... (1942)

On June 7, 1942: World War II: Aleutian Islands Campaign: Imperial Japanese soldiers begin occupying the American islands of Attu and Kiska, in the Aleutian Islands off Alaska. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how...

Universalhistory