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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: The Edict of Amboise is signed, ending the first phase of the French Wars of... (1563)

On March 19, 1563: The Edict of Amboise is signed, ending the first phase of the French Wars of Religion and granting certain freedoms to the Huguenots. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation.

Universalfreedomdiscovery

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Historical

On This Day: The Armenian Revolutionary Committee declares Armenia to be a Soviet Socialist... (1920)

On November 29, 1920: The Armenian Revolutionary Committee declares Armenia to be a Soviet Socialist Republic, starting 71 years of Soviet rule in Armenia This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: The Spanish military Villasur expedition is defeated by Pawnee and Otoe warriors... (1720)

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 bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde. (506)

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 Savenay: A decisive defeat of the royalist counter-revolutionaries... (1793)

On December 23, 1793: The Battle of Savenay: A decisive defeat of the royalist counter-revolutionaries in War in the Vendée during the French Revolution. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Islamist terrorists involved in the 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks attempt to bomb... (2004)

On April 2, 2004: Islamist terrorists involved in the 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks attempt to bomb the Spanish high-speed train AVE near Madrid; the attack is thwarted. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: The Battle of Azaz ends with a humiliating retreat of the Byzantine emperor,... (1030)

On August 10, 1030: The Battle of Azaz ends with a humiliating retreat of the Byzantine emperor, Romanos III Argyros, against the Mirdasid rulers of Aleppo. The retreat degenerates into a rout, in which Romanos himself barely escapes capture.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: World War II: The German army launches its offensive to encircle several Soviet... (1941)

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: Mother Teresa is beatified by Pope John Paul II. (2003)

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: The Continental Congress adopts the Lee Resolution severing... (1776)

On July 2, 1776: American Revolution: The Continental Congress adopts the Lee Resolution severing ties with the Kingdom of Great Britain, although the wording of the formal Declaration of Independence is not adopted until July 4.

Universalfreedomleadership

Historical

On This Day: Anti-Jewish legislation in prewar Nazi Germany closes the last remaining Jewish... (1939)

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 international applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty are... (1978)

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, discovery.

Universalpeacediscovery

Historical

On This Day: Battle of Dorylaeum: Crusaders led by prince Bohemond of Taranto defeat a Seljuk... (1097)

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 Vincy between Charles Martel and Ragenfrid. (717)

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 major commercial oil strike in the Middle East is made at Masjed... (1908)

The rights to the resource were quickly acquired by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company. 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: Vietnam War: Tet Offensive launch by forces of the Viet Cong and North... (1968)

On January 30, 1968: Vietnam War: Tet Offensive launch by forces of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army against South Vietnam, the United States, and their allies. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: In the first coronation ceremony ever held for an English monarch, Edgar the... (973)

On May 11, 973: In the first coronation ceremony ever held for an English monarch, Edgar the Peaceful is crowned King of England, having ruled since 959 AD. His wife, Ælfthryth, is crowned queen, the first recorded coronation for a Queen of England.

Universalleadershippeace

Historical

On This Day: England and the Netherlands sign the Treaty of Westminster, ending the Third... (1674)

A provision of the agreement transfers the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam to England. 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: John Wesley is converted, essentially launching the Methodist movement; the day... (1738)

On May 24, 1738: John Wesley is converted, essentially launching the Methodist movement; the day is celebrated annually by Methodists as Aldersgate Day and a church service is generally held on the preceding Sunday.

Universalfaith

Historical

On This Day: The first episode of Doctor Who (An Unearthly Child) is broadcast by the BBC,... (1963)

On November 23, 1963: The first episode of Doctor Who (An Unearthly Child) is broadcast by the BBC, which is now the world's longest running science fiction drama. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human discovery.

Universaldiscovery

Historical

On This Day: The United States Supreme Court upholds mandatory vaccinations for public school... (1922)

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: Cold War: The Gaither Report calls for more American missiles and fallout... (1957)

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: Sun Yat-sen, Song Jiaoren, and others establish the Tongmenghui, a Republican,... (1905)

On August 20, 1905: Sun Yat-sen, Song Jiaoren, and others establish the Tongmenghui, a Republican, anti-Qing revolutionary organisation, in Tokyo, Japan. 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 crown of Aragon and the crown of Castile agree in the Treaty of Almizra on... (1244)

On March 26, 1244: The crown of Aragon and the crown of Castile agree in the Treaty of Almizra on the limits of their respective expansion into al-Andalus. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the...

Universalpeace