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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 English are defeated at the Battle of Roslin, in the First War of Scottish... (1303)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using it when preaching about freedom, discovery.

Universalfreedomdiscovery

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Historical

On This Day: Massacre of ethnic Azerbaijanis is committed by allied armed groups of Armenian... (1918)

Nearly 12,000 Azerbaijani Muslims are killed. 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 Civil War: A group of Confederate operatives calling themselves the... (1864)

On November 25, 1864: American Civil War: A group of Confederate operatives calling themselves the Confederate Army of Manhattan starts fires in more than 20 locations in an unsuccessful attempt to burn down New York City.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Portuguese Restoration War: Portuguese victory at the Battle of Ameixial ensures... (1663)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using it when preaching about freedom, forgiveness, redemption.

Universalfreedomforgiveness

Historical

On This Day: The Comoros declares independence from France. (1975)

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: World War II: The McCollum memo proposes bringing the United States into the war... (1940)

On October 7, 1940: World War II: The McCollum memo proposes bringing the United States into the war in Europe by provoking the Japanese to attack the United States. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact.

Universalleadership

Historical

On This Day: Colombian conflict, leftist guerrillas of the 19th of April Movement seize... (1985)

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.

Universaljustice

Historical

On This Day: Paraguayan War: Brazilian troops defeat the Paraguayan Army at the Battle of... (1868)

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: Timur of Samarkand captures and sacks the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, taking... (1386)

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: The Irish Home Rule Act becomes law, but is delayed until after World War I. (1914)

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: Dahomey (later renamed Benin) declares independence from France. (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: Count Roger II of Sicily is crowned the first king of Sicily. (1130)

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: World War II: The 1st Ukrainian Front liberates Kyiv from German occupation. (1943)

This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using it when preaching about freedom, hope.

Universalfreedomhope

Historical

On This Day: During the Rhodesian Bush War a group of ZIPRA guerrillas shot down civilian... (1978)

On September 3, 1978: During the Rhodesian Bush War a group of ZIPRA guerrillas shot down civilian Vickers Viscount aircraft (Air Rhodesia Flight 825) with a Soviet-made SAM Strela-2; of 56 passengers and crew 38 people died in crash, 10...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Vietnam War: Student protesters at Columbia University in New York City take... (1968)

On April 23, 1968: Vietnam War: Student protesters at Columbia University in New York City take over administration buildings and shut down the university. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Yazdegerd III ascends the throne as king (shah) of the Persian Empire. He... (632)

He becomes the last ruler of the Sasanian dynasty (modern Iran). 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: First Indochina War: Viet Minh troops successfully ambush the armoured French... (1954)

42' in the Battle of Chu Dreh Pass in the Central Highlands. It is the last battle of the war. 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: Giovanni da Verrazzano sets sail westward from Madeira to find a sea route to... (1524)

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: Mongol invasion of the Cumans: Battle of the Kalka River: Mongol armies of... (1223)

On May 31, 1223: Mongol invasion of the Cumans: Battle of the Kalka River: Mongol armies of Genghis Khan led by Subutai defeat Kievan Rus' and Cumans. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Cold War: The United States Department of State releases the Acheson-Lilienthal... (1946)

On March 28, 1946: Cold War: The United States Department of State releases the Acheson-Lilienthal Report, outlining a plan for the international control of nuclear power. 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: During the Battle of the Bismarck Sea Allied aircraft defeated a... (1943)

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: In the Vietnam War, the North Vietnamese forces launch their 1975 Spring... (1974)

On December 13, 1974: In the Vietnam War, the North Vietnamese forces launch their 1975 Spring Offensive (to 30 April 1975), which results in the final capitulation of South Vietnam. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: World War I: German forces capture Tallinn to virtually complete the occupation... (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: The Norman conquest of England begins with the Battle of Hastings. (1066)

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