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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 April Uprising begins. Its suppression shocks European opinion, and... (1876)

On April 20, 1876: The April Uprising begins. Its suppression shocks European opinion, and Bulgarian independence becomes a condition for ending the Russo-Turkish War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation.

Universalfreedom

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Historical

On This Day: Vietnam War: The House Un-American Activities Committee begins investigations of... (1966)

The committee intends to introduce legislation making these activities illegal. Anti-war demonstrators disrupt the meeting and 50 people are arrested. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about showing Christ-like compassion to others. Consider using it when preaching about compassion, leadership.

Universalcompassionleadership

Historical

On This Day: The Holland Tunnel opens to traffic as the first Hudson River vehicle tunnel... (1927)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when preaching about leadership, discovery.

Universalleadershipdiscovery

Historical

On This Day: The execution of the 13 Martyrs of Arad after the Hungarian war of independence. (1849)

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

Universalfreedomsacrifice

Historical

On This Day: American forces retreating from Fort Ticonderoga are defeated in the Battle of... (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 Raid of the Redeswire is the last major battle between England and Scotland. (1575)

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: World War II: Battle of the Bulge: German troops demand the surrender of United... (1944)

On December 22, 1944: World War II: Battle of the Bulge: German troops demand the surrender of United States troops at Bastogne, Belgium, prompting the famous one word reply by General Anthony McAuliffe: "Nuts!" This historical event can serve as...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Religious reformer John Wycliffe is condemned as a heretic at the Council of... (1415)

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, reformation.

Universalfaithreformation

Historical

On This Day: The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope... (1256)

On May 4, 1256: The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV issues a papal bull Licet ecclesiae catholicae. 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: The Eighth Air Force sorties ninety-one B-17s and B-24s to attack... (1943)

On January 27, 1943: World War II: The Eighth Air Force sorties ninety-one B-17s and B-24s to attack the U-boat construction yards at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. This was the first American bombing attack on Germany. This historical event can serve as...

Universaldiscovery

Historical

On This Day: U.S. Secretary of State William P. Rogers proposes his plan for a ceasefire in... (1969)

On December 9, 1969: U.S. Secretary of State William P. Rogers proposes his plan for a ceasefire in the War of Attrition; Egypt and Jordan accept it over the objections of the PLO, which leads to civil war in Jordan in September 1970.

Universalpeace

Historical

On This Day: Malta gains independence from the United Kingdom, but remains in the... (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, leadership.

Universalfreedomleadership

Historical

On This Day: Pope Francis begins a historical visit to Iraq amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. (2021)

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: Vox in excelso: Pope Clement V dissolves the Order of the Knights Templar. (1312)

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 Czechoslovak parliament is unable to reach an agreement on what to call the... (1990)

On March 29, 1990: The Czechoslovak parliament is unable to reach an agreement on what to call the country after the fall of Communism, sparking the so-called Hyphen War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact.

Universalleadership

Historical

On This Day: American Revolutionary War: Richmond, Virginia, is burned by British naval... (1781)

On January 5, 1781: American Revolutionary War: Richmond, Virginia, is burned by British naval forces led by former American general Benedict Arnold. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Russia and the United States sign the Moscow Treaty. (2002)

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: War of the Austrian Succession: A British fleet under Admiral Edward Hawke... (1747)

On October 25, 1747: War of the Austrian Succession: A British fleet under Admiral Edward Hawke defeats the French at the Second Battle of Cape Finisterre. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Protests begin around Egypt against President Mohamed Morsi and the ruling... (2013)

On June 30, 2013: Protests begin around Egypt against President Mohamed Morsi and the ruling Freedom and Justice Party, leading to their overthrow during the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about...

Universaljusticefreedom

Historical

On This Day: French King Charles VIII occupies Florence, Italy. (1494)

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: Invading Siamese forces attempt to exploit the political chaos in Vietnam, but... (1785)

On January 20, 1785: Invading Siamese forces attempt to exploit the political chaos in Vietnam, but are ambushed and annihilated at the Mekong river by the Tây Sơn in the Battle of Rạch Gầm-Xoài Mút.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Congress of Vienna opens to re-draw the European political map after the defeat... (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: The Kellogg-Briand Pact, renouncing war as an instrument of foreign policy, goes... (1929)

On July 24, 1929: The Kellogg-Briand Pact, renouncing war as an instrument of foreign policy, goes into effect (it is first signed in Paris on August 27, 1928, by most leading world powers). This historical event can serve as a...

Universaldiscovery

Historical

On This Day: World War II: Germany and Italy sign the Pact of Steel. (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