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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 last ruler of the Lodi dynasty, Ibrahim Lodi is defeated and killed by Babur... (1526)

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

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Historical

On This Day: The former British Protectorate of British Somaliland gains its independence as... (1960)

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: Second Sino-Japanese War: USS Panay incident: Japanese aircraft bomb and sink... (1937)

gunboat USS Panay on the Yangtze river in China. 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 Six-Day War begins: Israel launches surprise strikes against Egyptian... (1967)

On June 5, 1967: The Six-Day War begins: Israel launches surprise strikes against Egyptian air-fields in response to the mobilisation of Egyptian forces on the Israeli border. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: The Congress of the Confederation enacts the Northwest Ordinance establishing... (1787)

It also establishes procedures for the admission of new states and limits the expansion of slavery. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when preaching about leadership, human-rights.

Universalleadershiphuman-rights

Historical

On This Day: Serbian forces begin their siege of the Bulgarian city of Vidin; the siege is... (1913)

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: Edward Maria Wingfield is ousted as first president of the governing council of... (1607)

On September 10, 1607: Edward Maria Wingfield is ousted as first president of the governing council of the Colony of Virginia; he is replaced by John Ratcliffe. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact.

Universalleadershipdiscovery

Historical

On This Day: American Civil War: The Siege of Port Hudson ends in a Union victory and, along... (1863)

On July 9, 1863: American Civil War: The Siege of Port Hudson ends in a Union victory and, along with the fall of Vicksburg five days earlier, gives the Union complete control of the Mississippi River.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Albert III of Mecklenburg (King Albert of Sweden) grants city rights to Ulvila... (1365)

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, leadership, human-rights.

Universaljusticeleadership

Historical

On This Day: Pope Leo XII publishes the apostolic constitution Quo Graviora in which he... (1826)

On March 13, 1826: Pope Leo XII publishes the apostolic constitution Quo Graviora in which he renewed the prohibition on Catholics joining freemasonry. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation.

Universalfreedom

Historical

On This Day: Historic National Prayer Service held at Washington National Cathedral for... (2001)

A similar service is held in Canada on Parliament Hill, the largest vigil ever held in the nation's capital. 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: Alaska is purchased from Russia for $7.2 million, about two cents/acre... (1867)

On March 30, 1867: Alaska is purchased from Russia for $7.2 million, about two cents/acre ($4.19/km2), by United States Secretary of State William H. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: American Revolution: French and American forces backed by a French fleet begin... (1781)

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 I: Erich Ludendorff, quartermaster-general of the Imperial German... (1918)

On October 26, 1918: World War I: Erich Ludendorff, quartermaster-general of the Imperial German Army, is dismissed by Kaiser Wilhelm II for refusing to cooperate in peace negotiations. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the...

Universalpeace

Historical

On This Day: A United States-South Korea mutual defense treaty is concluded in Washington,... (1953)

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 Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, the largest religious building in... (2004)

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: After a five-month siege during the First Crusade, the Crusaders seize Antioch. (1098)

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: Iraq announces its intention to fire upon U.S. and British warplanes that patrol... (1998)

On December 26, 1998: Iraq announces its intention to fire upon U.S. and British warplanes that patrol the northern and southern no-fly zones. 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: Winston Churchill is appointed Prime Minister of the United... (1940)

On May 10, 1940: World War II: Winston Churchill is appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom following the resignation of Neville Chamberlain. On the same day, Germany invades France, The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom occupies Iceland.

Universalfaithleadership

Historical

On This Day: American Revolutionary War: The British Army abandons Philadelphia. (1778)

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: Admiral Richard E. Byrd and Floyd Bennett claim to have flown over the North... (1926)

On May 9, 1926: Admiral Richard E. Byrd and Floyd Bennett claim to have flown over the North Pole (later discovery of Byrd's diary appears to cast some doubt on the claim.) This historical event can serve as a powerful...

Universaldiscovery

Historical

On This Day: During a visit to South Korea, Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa... (1992)

On January 17, 1992: During a visit to South Korea, Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa apologizes for forcing Korean women into sexual slavery during World War II. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the dignity...

Universalhuman-rights

Historical

On This Day: Napoleonic Wars: The British Royal Navy bombards Copenhagen with fire bombs and... (1807)

On September 2, 1807: Napoleonic Wars: The British Royal Navy bombards Copenhagen with fire bombs and phosphorus rockets to prevent Denmark from surrendering its fleet to Napoleon. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Armenia defeats the Ottoman Army in the Battle of Sardarabad. (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