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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: American Revolution: The Continental Association, a nonconsumption and... (1774)

On October 20, 1774: American Revolution: The Continental Association, a nonconsumption and nonimportation agreement against the British Isles and the British West Indies, is adopted by the First Continental Congress. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration...

Universaldiscovery

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Historical

On This Day: Rioting begins between Muslim and Christian groups in Jos, Nigeria, results in... (2010)

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.

Universalfaith

Historical

On This Day: Franco-German war of 978-980: Holy Roman Emperor Otto II lifts the siege of... (978)

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 Immortal Seven issue the Invitation to William, which would culminate in the... (1688)

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: Beginning of the Finnish Civil War. (1918)

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: Spanish Civil War: The Battle of Guadalajara begins. (1937)

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 Treaty of Saint Petersburg between Japan and Russia is ratified, providing... (1875)

On August 22, 1875: The Treaty of Saint Petersburg between Japan and Russia is ratified, providing for the exchange of Sakhalin for the Kuril Islands. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken world.

Universalpeace

Historical

On This Day: American Civil War: The Battle of Mobile Bay begins at Mobile Bay near Mobile,... (1864)

On August 5, 1864: American Civil War: The Battle of Mobile Bay begins at Mobile Bay near Mobile, Alabama, Admiral David Farragut leads a Union flotilla through Confederate defenses and seals one of the last major Southern ports.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: The Treaty of Berlin is signed. Germany and the Soviet Union each pledge... (1926)

On April 24, 1926: The Treaty of Berlin is signed. Germany and the Soviet Union each pledge neutrality in the event of an attack on the other by a third party for the next five years.

Universalpeace

Historical

On This Day: Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, is assassinated inside Canterbury... (1170)

On December 29, 1170: Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, is assassinated inside Canterbury Cathedral by followers of King Henry II; he subsequently becomes a saint and martyr in the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church.

Universalfaithsacrifice

Historical

On This Day: The rollercoaster The New Revolution, the first steel coaster with a vertical... (1976)

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: Fourpeaked Mountain in Alaska erupts, marking the first eruption for the volcano... (2006)

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 Root and Branch petition, signed by 15,000 Londoners calling for the... (1640)

On December 11, 1640: The Root and Branch petition, signed by 15,000 Londoners calling for the abolition of the episcopacy, is presented to the Long Parliament. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's heart for justice and righteousness.

Universaljusticehuman-rights

Historical

On This Day: American Revolutionary War: British troops and Loyalists, misinformed about... (1775)

On December 9, 1775: American Revolutionary War: British troops and Loyalists, misinformed about Patriot militia strength, lose the Battle of Great Bridge, ending British rule in Virginia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Spanish Civil War: Nationalists begin their final offensive of the war. (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: George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz are crowned King and Queen,... (1761)

On September 22, 1761: George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz are crowned King and Queen, respectively, of the Kingdom of Great Britain. 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: Benjamin W. Edwards rides into Mexican-controlled Nacogdoches, Texas, and... (1826)

On December 16, 1826: Benjamin W. Edwards rides into Mexican-controlled Nacogdoches, Texas, and declares himself ruler of the Republic of Fredonia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Title IX of the United States Civil Rights Act of 1964 is amended to prohibit... (1972)

On June 23, 1972: Title IX of the United States Civil Rights Act of 1964 is amended to prohibit sexual discrimination to any educational program receiving federal funds. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's heart for justice and righteousness.

Universaljusticehuman-rights

Historical

On This Day: Russo-Turkish War (1768-74): Russia and the Ottoman Empire sign the Treaty of... (1774)

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: Due to the post-Independence Day admission of Hawaii as the 50th U.S. state on... (1960)

state on August 21, 1959, the 50-star flag of the United States debuts in Philadelphia, almost ten and a half months later (see Flag Acts (United States)). This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation.

Universalfreedom

Historical

On This Day: The International System of Units (SI): The base units are redefined, making the... (2019)

On May 20, 2019: The International System of Units (SI): The base units are redefined, making the international prototype of the kilogram obsolete. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider...

Universalleadership

Historical

On This Day: The General Synod of the Church of England votes to allow women to become... (1992)

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.

Universalfaith

Historical

On This Day: World War II: During the Battle of Iwo Jima, Japanese kamikaze planes sink the... (1945)

On February 21, 1945: World War II: During the Battle of Iwo Jima, Japanese kamikaze planes sink the escort carrier USS Bismarck Sea and damage the USS Saratoga. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: The Second Opium War between several western powers and China begins with the... (1856)

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