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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: Civil rights movement: U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights... (1964)

On July 2, 1964: Civil rights movement: U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964 meant to prohibit segregation in public places. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's heart for justice and righteousness.

Universaljusticeleadership

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Historical

On This Day: Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his... (1990)

On October 15, 1990: Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to lessen Cold War tensions and open up his nation. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact.

Universalleadershippeace

Historical

On This Day: Praying Indian John Alderman shoots and kills Metacomet, the Wampanoag war... (1676)

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: Italy begins an unsuccessful invasion of France. (1940)

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: Russo-Ukrainian War: Russia claims full control of the Ukrainian city of... (2022)

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 Battle of the Philippine Sea concludes with a decisive U.S.... (1944)

naval victory. The lopsided naval air battle is also known as the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot". 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: Andrei Zhdanov, Chairman of the Finnish Allied Commission, submitted to the... (1946)

On January 8, 1946: Andrei Zhdanov, Chairman of the Finnish Allied Commission, submitted to the Finnish War Criminal Court an interrogation report by General Erich Buschenhagen, a German prisoner of war, on the contacts between Finnish and German military personnel...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Baptist Church bombing: Four children are killed in the bombing of an... (1963)

On September 15, 1963: Baptist Church bombing: Four children are killed in the bombing of an African-American church in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the enduring nature of faith through history.

Universalfaith

Historical

On This Day: Cimbrian War: Defeat at the Battle of Arausio of the Roman army of the... (105 BC)

On October 6, 105 BC: Cimbrian War: Defeat at the Battle of Arausio of the Roman army of the mid-Republic This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: The Treaty on Relations between the USSR and the GDR is signed. (1955)

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: Haitian Revolution: The Royal Navy led by Rear-Admiral John Thomas Duckworth... (1803)

On June 18, 1803: Haitian Revolution: The Royal Navy led by Rear-Admiral John Thomas Duckworth commence the blockade of Saint-Domingue against French 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: An Aragonese cavalry force defeats a superior Castilian cavalry force in the... (1359)

On September 22, 1359: An Aragonese cavalry force defeats a superior Castilian cavalry force in the Battle of Araviana during the War of the Two Peters. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Armenia gains independence from the Soviet Union. (1991)

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 Kenyan Army suffers its worst defeat ever in a battle with Al-Shabaab... (2016)

An estimated 150 Kenyan soldiers are killed in the battle. 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 state funeral of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel takes place in... (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: The Battle of Guningtou in the Taiwan Strait begins. (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: The Ottoman Turks capture Buda, the capital of the Hungarian Kingdom. (1541)

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: Arab-Israeli War: The port city of Haifa is captured by Jewish forces. (1948)

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 current Emley Moor transmitting station, the tallest free-standing structure... (1971)

On January 21, 1971: The current Emley Moor transmitting station, the tallest free-standing structure in the United Kingdom, begins transmitting UHF broadcasts. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider...

Universalfreedomleadership

Historical

On This Day: Galileo Galilei is formally banned by the Roman Catholic Church from teaching or... (1616)

On February 26, 1616: Galileo Galilei is formally banned by the Roman Catholic Church from teaching or defending the view that the earth orbits the sun. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the enduring nature of faith through history.

Universalfaith

Historical

On This Day: World War II: The Axis occupation of Athens comes to an end. (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: Winston Churchill is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. (1953)

On April 24, 1953: Winston Churchill is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. 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

Historical

On This Day: The Italo-Turkish War sees the first use of an airplane in combat when an... (1911)

On October 23, 1911: The Italo-Turkish War sees the first use of an airplane in combat when an Italian pilot makes a reconnaissance flight. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human discovery.

Universaldiscovery

Historical

On This Day: The Council of Trent establishes an official distinction between Roman... (1564)

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

Universalleadershipreformation