The largest free collection of sermon illustrations, organized by topic, scripture, and theological tradition.

Stay updated

New illustrations, features & occasional discounts

Browse

By Topic
By Scripture
By Tradition
By Emotion
By Source Type
Sermon Slides

Resources

Sample Illustrations
About
Premium
Contact Us
PewSearch
ChurchWiseAI

Support

Contact Us
+1 (888) 603-0316
support@churchwiseai.com
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Refund Policy

Home›Browse by Type›Historical Examples

🏛️

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: French intervention forces William I of the Netherlands to abandon his attempt... (1831)

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

PreviousPage 145 of 384Next

📝

Need a full sermon?

SermonWise.ai generates complete sermon outlines for any passage across 17 theological traditions.

Generate a sermon →

Historical

On This Day: The United States Supreme Court rules in Miranda v. Arizona that the police must... (1966)

On June 13, 1966: The United States Supreme Court rules in Miranda v. Arizona that the police must inform suspects of their Fifth Amendment rights before questioning them (colloquially known as "Mirandizing"). This historical event can serve as a powerful...

Universaljusticehuman-rights

Historical

On This Day: The Peruvian Navy is established during the War of Independence. (1821)

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: Gay rights: Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services, Inc.: The Supreme Court of... (1998)

On March 4, 1998: Gay rights: Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services, Inc.: The Supreme Court of the United States rules that federal laws banning on-the-job sexual harassment also apply when both parties are the same sex.

Universaljusticehuman-rights

Historical

On This Day: Sri Lankan Civil War: Sri Lankan Tamil politician and former MP S. Sivamaharajah... (2006)

Sivamaharajah is shot dead at his home in Tellippalai. 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: Spanish Civil War: The CNT and UGT call a general strike in Spain - mobilizing... (1936)

On July 19, 1936: Spanish Civil War: The CNT and UGT call a general strike in Spain - mobilizing workers' militias against the Nationalist forces. People's Olympiad of Barcelona cancelled. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: The final act of the Greco-Turkish War, the Great Fire of Smyrna, commences. (1922)

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: American forces are ambushed and defeated in the... (1777)

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 signing of the United States Declaration of Independence takes place. (1776)

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: The last remaining American troops leave Afghanistan, ending U.S. involvement in... (2021)

involvement in the war. 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: Lahti, a city in Finland, is granted city rights by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia,... (1905)

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, human-rights.

Universaljusticehuman-rights

Historical

On This Day: Vietnam War: Boxer Muhammad Ali refuses his induction into the United States... (1967)

On April 28, 1967: Vietnam War: Boxer Muhammad Ali refuses his induction into the United States Army and is subsequently stripped of his championship and license. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: American general Douglas MacArthur fulfills his promise to return to the... (1944)

On October 20, 1944: American general Douglas MacArthur fulfills his promise to return to the Philippines when he comes ashore during the Battle of Leyte. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Club Cinq-Sept fire in Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, France kills 146 young people. (1970)

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: Virginia enacts the Statute for Religious Freedom authored by Thomas Jefferson. (1786)

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

Universalfreedomfaith

Historical

On This Day: Battle of Caishi: A Song dynasty fleet fights a naval engagement with Jin... (1161)

On November 26, 1161: Battle of Caishi: A Song dynasty fleet fights a naval engagement with Jin dynasty ships on the Yangtze river during the Jin-Song Wars. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: The Manchester Ship Canal in the United Kingdom is officially opened by Queen... (1894)

On May 21, 1894: The Manchester Ship Canal in the United Kingdom is officially opened by Queen Victoria, who later knights its designer Sir Edward Leader Williams. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact.

Universalleadership

Historical

On This Day: Maurice Papon, an official in the Vichy government during World War II, is... (1999)

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: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt closes down the Works... (1943)

On December 4, 1943: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt closes down the Works Progress Administration, because of the high levels of wartime employment in the United States. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration...

Universalleadership

Historical

On This Day: Pope John XXI is elected Pope. (1276)

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 Battle of Wagram between the French and Austrian Empires begins. (1809)

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: The Soviet Union lifts its blockade of Berlin. (1949)

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 Hollywood, the first Academy Awards ceremony takes place. (1929)

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: The Great Raids Against Helsinki begins. (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