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26,429 illustrations available
On This Day: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C. after a march to... (1982)
On November 13, 1982: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C. after a march to its site by thousands of Vietnam War veterans. This historical event can serve as a powerful serm
On This Day: Islamic State operatives carry out a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in... (2015)
On November 13, 2015: Islamic State operatives carry out a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris, including suicide bombings, mass shootings and a hostage crisis. The terrorists kill 130 pe
On This Day: Napoleonic Wars: At the Battle of Smoliani, French Marshals Victor and Oudinot... (1812)
On November 14, 1812: Napoleonic Wars: At the Battle of Smoliani, French Marshals Victor and Oudinot are defeated by the Russians under General Peter Wittgenstein. This historical event can serve as
On This Day: The British Broadcasting Company begins radio service in the United Kingdom. (1922)
On November 14, 1922: The British Broadcasting Company begins radio service in the United Kingdom. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its imp
On This Day: Aviator Eugene Burton Ely performs the first takeoff from a ship in Hampton... (1910)
On November 14, 1910: Aviator Eugene Burton Ely performs the first takeoff from a ship in Hampton Roads, Virginia, taking off from a makeshift deck on the USS Birmingham in a Curtiss pusher. This his
On This Day: Sri Lankan Civil War: Sri Lankan Army soldiers slaughter 158 civilians. (1990)
On September 5, 1990: Sri Lankan Civil War: Sri Lankan Army soldiers slaughter 158 civilians. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events
On This Day: Astronomers discover Sedna, a distant trans-Neptunian dwarf planet. (2003)
On November 14, 2003: Astronomers discover Sedna, a distant trans-Neptunian dwarf planet. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human discovery. C
On This Day: Battle of the Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria. (655)
On November 15, 655: Battle of the Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the even
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: After 16 months of debate the Continental Congress... (1777)
On November 15, 1777: American Revolutionary War: After 16 months of debate the Continental Congress approves the Articles of Confederation. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illus
On This Day: A slave revolt in the Cherokee Nation commences. (1842)
On November 15, 1842: A slave revolt in the Cherokee Nation commences. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's call to courage in the face of adversity. Consider
On This Day: Bohemia is granted freedom of religion through the Letter of Majesty by the Holy... (1609)
On July 9, 1609: Bohemia is granted freedom of religion through the Letter of Majesty by the Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolf II. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the
On This Day: Eduskunta declares itself the supreme state power of Finland, prompting its... (1917)
On November 15, 1917: Eduskunta declares itself the supreme state power of Finland, prompting its declaration of independence and secession from Russia. This historical event can serve as a powerful
On This Day: World War II: The Battle of Guadalcanal ends in a decisive Allied victory. (1942)
On November 15, 1942: World War II: The Battle of Guadalcanal ends in a decisive Allied victory. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the even
On This Day: Vietnam War: Easter Offensive: American forces begin sustained air strikes and... (1972)
On April 6, 1972: Vietnam War: Easter Offensive: American forces begin sustained air strikes and naval bombardments. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God wo
On This Day: Cold War: Igor Gouzenko, a Soviet Union embassy clerk, defects to Canada,... (1945)
On September 5, 1945: Cold War: Igor Gouzenko, a Soviet Union embassy clerk, defects to Canada, exposing Soviet espionage in North America, signalling the beginning of the Cold War. This historical e
On This Day: A package from Unabomber Ted Kaczynski begins smoking in the cargo hold of a... (1979)
On November 15, 1979: A package from Unabomber Ted Kaczynski begins smoking in the cargo hold of a flight from Chicago to Washington, D.C., forcing the plane to make an emergency landing. This histor
On This Day: Israeli-Palestinian conflict: An independent State of Palestine is proclaimed by... (1988)
On November 15, 1988: Israeli-Palestinian conflict: An independent State of Palestine is proclaimed by the Palestinian National Council. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrat
On This Day: King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden was killed at the Battle of Lützen during the... (1632)
On November 16, 1632: King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden was killed at the Battle of Lützen during the Thirty Years' War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly l
On This Day: Iva Toguri D'Aquino, a Japanese American who broadcast under the name Orphan... (1945)
On September 5, 1945: Iva Toguri D'Aquino, a Japanese American who broadcast under the name Orphan Annie during World War II, is arrested in Yokohama by U.S. military authorities amid widespread specu
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: The Battle of Groton Heights takes place, resulting... (1781)
On September 6, 1781: American Revolutionary War: The Battle of Groton Heights takes place, resulting in a British victory. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how
On This Day: The Mechanics' Institution is established in Manchester, England at the... (1824)
On April 7, 1824: The Mechanics' Institution is established in Manchester, England at the Bridgewater Arms hotel, as part of a national movement for the education of working men. The institute is the
On This Day: End of Burmese-Siamese War (1765-1767). (1767)
On April 7, 1767: End of Burmese-Siamese War (1765-1767). This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when p
On This Day: World War II: In support of the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, the town of Düren is... (1944)
On November 16, 1944: World War II: In support of the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, the town of Düren is destroyed by Allied aircraft. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration ab
On This Day: Vietnam War: President Richard Nixon announces his decision to quicken the pace... (1971)
On April 7, 1971: Vietnam War: President Richard Nixon announces his decision to quicken the pace of Vietnamization. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly lead