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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: Ma'alot massacre: Members of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of... (1974)

On May 15, 1974: Ma'alot massacre: Members of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine attack and take hostages at an Israeli school; a total of 31 people are killed, including 22 schoolchildren.

Universalfreedomhope

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Historical

On This Day: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt denounces Italy's actions in... (1940)

On June 10, 1940: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt denounces Italy's actions in his "Stab in the Back" speech at the graduation ceremonies of the University of Virginia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon...

Universalleadership

Historical

On This Day: El Salvador and Honduras agree to put the border dispute fought over in 1969's... (1980)

On October 30, 1980: El Salvador and Honduras agree to put the border dispute fought over in 1969's Football War before the International Court of Justice. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's heart for justice and righteousness.

Universaljustice

Historical

On This Day: War of 1812: Sir Isaac Brock's British and native forces repel an invasion of... (1812)

On October 13, 1812: War of 1812: Sir Isaac Brock's British and native forces repel an invasion of Canada by General Rensselaer's United States forces. 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 Treaty of London between England and Scotland, ending the Bishops' Wars, is... (1641)

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: The All Saints' Flood devastates the Dutch coast. (1570)

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: Henry Knox's "noble train of artillery" arrives in... (1776)

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: The United States invades Saipan, capital of Japan's South Seas... (1944)

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: Section 28 (of the Local Government Act 1988), outlawing the 'promotion' of... (2000)

On June 21, 2000: Section 28 (of the Local Government Act 1988), outlawing the 'promotion' of homosexuality in the United Kingdom, is repealed in Scotland with a 99 to 17 vote. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon...

Universalleadership

Historical

On This Day: NASA's Kepler space telescope confirms the discovery of the first Earth-size... (2014)

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: Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi apologizes for Japan's war record. (2005)

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: Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech; he... (1968)

On April 3, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech; he was assassinated the next day. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using...

Universalleadershipreformation

Historical

On This Day: The city council of Amsterdam votes to support William of Orange's invasion of... (1688)

On September 26, 1688: The city council of Amsterdam votes to support William of Orange's invasion of England, which became the Glorious 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: Eighty Years' War: Dutch Republic forces recapture a strategically important... (1636)

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: Mongolian Revolution: At the country's first open pro-democracy public... (1989)

On December 10, 1989: Mongolian Revolution: At the country's first open pro-democracy public demonstration, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj announces the establishment of the Mongolian Democratic Union. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact.

Universalleadershipdiscovery

Historical

On This Day: Walt Disney's 13th animated film, Alice in Wonderland, premieres in London,... (1951)

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: Women's rights: A two-day Women's Rights Convention opens in Seneca Falls, New... (1848)

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: American Revolutionary War: The Battle of Sullivan's Island ends with the... (1776)

On June 28, 1776: American Revolutionary War: The Battle of Sullivan's Island ends with the American victory, leading to the commemoration of Carolina Day. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Eighty Years' War: Pacification of Ghent: The States General of the Netherlands... (1576)

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: Sudan's government imposes Islamic law nationwide, worsening the civil war... (1991)

On January 20, 1991: Sudan's government imposes Islamic law nationwide, worsening the civil war between the country's Muslim north and Christian south. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the enduring nature of faith through history.

Universalfaithleadership

Historical

On This Day: Mongolian Revolution of 1921: The Mongolian People's Army defeated local Chinese... (1921)

On March 18, 1921: Mongolian Revolution of 1921: The Mongolian People's Army defeated local Chinese forces at Altanbulag, Selenge (then known as Maimachen). This battle was seen as the birthday of the People's Army and completed the expulsion of Chinese militants in Mongolia.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Thirty Years' War: Forces of the Holy Roman Empire and Electorate of Saxony are... (1639)

On April 14, 1639: Thirty Years' War: Forces of the Holy Roman Empire and Electorate of Saxony are defeated by the Swedes at the Battle of Chemnitz, ending the military effectiveness of the Saxon army for the rest of the...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Seven Years' War: Battle of Liegnitz: Frederick the Great's victory over the... (1760)

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 Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) is founded in London. (1844)

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, leadership.

Universalfaithleadership