Loading...
10,054 illustrations — Lessons from history, biography, and world events
On August 19, 1666: Second Anglo-Dutch War: Rear Admiral Robert Holmes leads a raid on the Dutch island of Terschelling, destroying 116 to 160 merchant ships, an act later known as "Holmes's Bonfire". This historical event can serve as a...
SermonWise.ai generates complete sermon outlines for any passage across 17 theological traditions.
On March 3, 2005: James Roszko murders four Royal Canadian Mounted Police constables during a drug bust at his property in Rochfort Bridge, Alberta, then commits suicide. This is the deadliest peace-time incident for the RCMP since 1885 and the North-West Rebellion.
On March 3, 1878: The Russo-Turkish War ends with Bulgaria regaining its independence from the Ottoman Empire according to the Treaty of San Stefano. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation.
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.
On March 12, 1993: North Korea announces that it will withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and refuses to allow inspectors access to its nuclear sites. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration...
On August 24, 1970: Vietnam War protesters bomb Sterling Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, leading to an international manhunt for the perpetrators. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.
On November 16, 1272: While travelling during the Ninth Crusade, Prince Edward becomes King of England upon Henry III of England's death, but he will not return to England for nearly two years to assume the throne.
On August 18, 1966: Vietnam War: The Battle of Long Tan ensues after a patrol from the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment clashes with a Viet Cong force in Phước Tuy Province.
On December 1, 1959: Cold War: Opening date for signature of the Antarctic Treaty, which sets aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve and bans military activity on the continent. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about...
On January 18, 1993: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is officially observed for the first time in all 50 US states. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it...
On September 18, 1950: Korean War: U.S. Eighth Army and United Nations forces break out of the Pusan Perimeter in southeast Korea. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.
President Ronald Reagan declares the Space Shuttle to be operational. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when preaching about leadership.
This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using it when preaching about freedom.
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.
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.
On April 13, 1175: Saladin routs his Muslim opponents, the Zengids, in the battle of the Horns of Hama, consolidating his control over Syria except for Aleppo. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God...
On July 18, 1872: The Ballot Act 1872 in the United Kingdom introduced the requirement that parliamentary and local government elections be held by secret ballot. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact.
On December 17, 1812: War of 1812: U.S. forces attack a Lenape village in the Battle of the Mississinewa. 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.
On February 18, 1915: U-boat Campaign: The Imperial German Navy institutes unrestricted submarine warfare in the waters around Great Britain and Ireland. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.