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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: Greek War of Independence: In the Battle of Navarino, a combined Turkish and... (1827)

On October 20, 1827: Greek War of Independence: In the Battle of Navarino, a combined Turkish and Egyptian fleet is defeated by British, French and Russian naval forces in the last significant battle fought with wooden sailing ships.

Universalfreedom

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Historical

On This Day: Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide demands reparations of $21 billion from... (2003)

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

Universalfreedomleadership

Historical

On This Day: The Holocaust: The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising ends. (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: Wars of the Roses: The Battle of Tewkesbury: Edward IV defeats a Lancastrian... (1471)

On May 4, 1471: Wars of the Roses: The Battle of Tewkesbury: Edward IV defeats a Lancastrian Army and kills Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Pope John Paul II returns the relics of Saint John Chrysostom to the Eastern... (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: Second Anglo-Afghan War: Battle of Maiwand: Afghan forces led by Mohammad Ayub... (1880)

On July 27, 1880: Second Anglo-Afghan War: Battle of Maiwand: Afghan forces led by Mohammad Ayub Khan defeat the British Army in battle near Maiwand, Afghanistan. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Oscar I of Sweden-Norway is crowned king of Sweden. (1844)

On September 28, 1844: Oscar I of Sweden-Norway is crowned king of Sweden. 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: Cold War: Harry Gold is sentenced to 30 years in jail for helping Klaus Fuchs... (1950)

On December 9, 1950: Cold War: Harry Gold is sentenced to 30 years in jail for helping Klaus Fuchs pass information about the Manhattan Project to the Soviet Union. His testimony is later instrumental in the prosecution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Great Depression: In Washington, D.C., troops disperse the last of the "Bonus... (1932)

On July 29, 1932: Great Depression: In Washington, D.C., troops disperse the last of the "Bonus Army" of World War I veterans using arson, bayonets, sabers, tanks, tear gas, and vomit gas.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: Mary, Queen of Scots, is defeated at the Battle of Langside, part of the civil... (1568)

On May 13, 1568: Mary, Queen of Scots, is defeated at the Battle of Langside, part of the civil war between Queen Mary and the supporters of her son, James VI. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon...

Universalleadership

Historical

On This Day: Spanish conquistadores defeat a larger Aztec army at the Battle of Otumba. (1520)

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: Tennessee secedes from the Union. (1861)

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: Anglo-Zulu War: Cetshwayo, last king of the Zulus, is captured by the British. (1879)

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: Second Opium War: Battle of Zhangjiawan: Now heading towards Beijing after... (1860)

On September 18, 1860: Second Opium War: Battle of Zhangjiawan: Now heading towards Beijing after having recently occupied Tianjin, the allied Anglo-French force engages and defeats a larger Qing Chinese army at Zhangjiawan.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: A fire kills 118 people at a wooden church in the small Romanian town of... (1930)

On April 18, 1930: A fire kills 118 people at a wooden church in the small Romanian town of Costești, most of them schoolchildren, after starting during Good Friday services. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration...

Universalfaith

Historical

On This Day: Operation Storm, the last major battle of the Croatian War of Independence... (1995)

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: Civil rights movement: A white mob twice attacks a Freedom Riders bus near... (1961)

On May 14, 1961: Civil rights movement: A white mob twice attacks a Freedom Riders bus near Anniston, Alabama, before fire-bombing the bus and attacking the civil rights protesters who flee the burning vehicle.

Universaljusticefreedom

Historical

On This Day: The United Tribes of New Zealand are established with the signature of the... (1835)

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

Universalfreedomleadership

Historical

On This Day: World War II: United States and Soviet reconnaissance troops meet in Torgau and... (1945)

On April 25, 1945: World War II: United States and Soviet reconnaissance troops meet in Torgau and Strehla along the River Elbe, cutting the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany in two. This would be later known as Elbe Day.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: World War II: Royal Air Force bombers are dispatched to Dresden, Germany to... (1945)

On February 13, 1945: World War II: Royal Air Force bombers are dispatched to Dresden, Germany to attack the city with a massive aerial bombardment. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: First assassination attempt against Umberto I of Italy by anarchist Giovanni... (1878)

The King survived with a slight wound in an arm. Prime Minister Benedetto Cairoli blocked the aggressor, receiving an injury in a leg. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about persevering through trials and tribulations. Consider...

Universalperseveranceleadership

Historical

On This Day: The Battle of Garigliano was fought between a Spanish army under Gonzalo... (1503)

On December 29, 1503: The Battle of Garigliano was fought between a Spanish army under Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba and a French army commanded by Ludovico II, Marquess of Saluzzo. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration...

Universalhistory

Historical

On This Day: The French Army of First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte defeats the Austrians at the... (1800)

On June 14, 1800: The French Army of First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte defeats the Austrians at the Battle of Marengo in Northern Italy and re-conquers Italy. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human discovery.

Universaldiscovery

Historical

On This Day: The Papal States lose Avignon to Revolutionary France. (1791)

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