Non-denominational Illustrations
Biblical simplicity, contemporary relevance, practical application.
Key question: “What is the plain meaning and practical application of this text?”
14828 illustrations found
On This Day: Nero dies by suicide after quoting Vergil's Aeneid, thus ending the... (68)
On June 9, 68: Nero dies by suicide after quoting Vergil's Aeneid, thus ending the Julio-Claudian dynasty and starting the civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors. This historical event can
On This Day: In Lebanon, pro-Iran kidnappers claim to have abducted American writer Edward... (1986)
On October 21, 1986: In Lebanon, pro-Iran kidnappers claim to have abducted American writer Edward Tracy (he is released in August 1991). This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustra
On This Day: Marriage of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent to Katharine Worsley at York Minster. (1961)
On June 8, 1961: Marriage of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent to Katharine Worsley at York Minster. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events
On This Day: World War II: The two-day Battle of Porta between the Royal Italian Army and the... (1943)
On June 8, 1943: World War II: The two-day Battle of Porta between the Royal Italian Army and the Greek People's Liberation Army begins. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrat
On This Day: The National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam organizes a march... (1967)
On October 21, 1967: The National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam organizes a march of fifty thousand people from the Lincoln Memorial to the Pentagon. This historical event can serv
On This Day: World War II: French Resistance coup in Algiers, in which 400 civilian French... (1942)
On November 8, 1942: World War II: French Resistance coup in Algiers, in which 400 civilian French patriots neutralize Vichyist XIXth Army Corps after 15 hours of fighting, and arrest several Vichyist
On This Day: Bluff Cove Air Attacks during the Falklands War: Fifty-six British servicemen... (1982)
On June 8, 1982: Bluff Cove Air Attacks during the Falklands War: Fifty-six British servicemen are killed by an Argentine air attack on two landing ships, RFA Sir Galahad and RFA Sir Tristram. This h
On This Day: American Revolution: The First Continental Congress adjourns in Philadelphia. (1774)
On October 26, 1774: American Revolution: The First Continental Congress adjourns in Philadelphia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human dis
On This Day: Iraq War: The interim government of Iraq calls for a 60-day state of emergency... (2004)
On November 7, 2004: Iraq War: The interim government of Iraq calls for a 60-day state of emergency as U.S. forces storm the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah. This historical event can serve as a pow
On This Day: Vietnam War: Nine-year-old Phan Thị Kim Phúc is burned by napalm, an event... (1972)
On June 8, 1972: Vietnam War: Nine-year-old Phan Thị Kim Phúc is burned by napalm, an event captured by Associated Press photographer Nick Ut moments later while the young girl is seen running naked d
On This Day: World War II: The final attempt of the Imperial Japanese Navy to win the war... (1944)
On October 25, 1944: World War II: The final attempt of the Imperial Japanese Navy to win the war climaxes at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrati
On This Day: Charles Edward Stuart invades England with an army of approximately 5,000 that... (1745)
On November 8, 1745: Charles Edward Stuart invades England with an army of approximately 5,000 that would later participate in the Battle of Culloden. This historical event can serve as a powerful se
On This Day: Former Massachusetts Attorney General Edward Brooke becomes the first African... (1966)
On November 8, 1966: Former Massachusetts Attorney General Edward Brooke becomes the first African American elected to the United States Senate since Reconstruction. This historical event can serve a
On This Day: Sri Lankan Civil War: The LTTE uses suicide attacks on the Sri Lankan Army for... (1987)
On July 5, 1987: Sri Lankan Civil War: The LTTE uses suicide attacks on the Sri Lankan Army for the first time. The Black Tigers are born and, in the following years, will continue to kill with the ta
On This Day: Friedrich Barbarossa arrives at Niš, the capital of Serbian King Stefan Nemanja,... (1189)
On July 27, 1189: Friedrich Barbarossa arrives at Niš, the capital of Serbian King Stefan Nemanja, during the Third Crusade. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about go
On This Day: The first Palmer Raid is conducted on the second anniversary of the Russian... (1919)
On November 7, 1919: The first Palmer Raid is conducted on the second anniversary of the Russian Revolution. Over 10,000 suspected communists and anarchists are arrested in 23 U.S. cities. This histo
On This Day: War of the League of Cambrai: In the Battle of Novara, Swiss troops defeat the... (1513)
On June 6, 1513: War of the League of Cambrai: In the Battle of Novara, Swiss troops defeat the French under Louis II de la Trémoille, forcing them to abandon Milan; Duke Massimiliano Sforza is restor
On This Day: World War II: HMS Vestal is the last British Royal Navy ship to be sunk in the... (1945)
On July 26, 1945: World War II: HMS Vestal is the last British Royal Navy ship to be sunk in the war. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the
On This Day: US Secretary of State William Seward proclaims the adoption of the Thirteenth... (1865)
On December 18, 1865: US Secretary of State William Seward proclaims the adoption of the Thirteenth Amendment, prohibiting slavery throughout the United States. This historical event can serve as a p
On This Day: Cold War: Fidel Castro leads an unsuccessful attack on the Moncada Barracks,... (1953)
On July 26, 1953: Cold War: Fidel Castro leads an unsuccessful attack on the Moncada Barracks, thus beginning the Cuban Revolution. The movement took the name of the date: 26th of July Movement This
On This Day: Swedish regent Gustav Vasa is elected King of Sweden and, marking a symbolic end... (1523)
On June 6, 1523: Swedish regent Gustav Vasa is elected King of Sweden and, marking a symbolic end to the Kalmar Union, 6 June is designated the country's national day. This historical event can serve
On This Day: The October Revolution, which gets its name from the Julian calendar date of 25... (1917)
On November 7, 1917: The October Revolution, which gets its name from the Julian calendar date of 25 October, occurs, according to the Gregorian calendar; on this date, the Bolsheviks storm the Winter
On This Day: Constantine VII, the eight-year-old illegitimate son of Leo VI the Wise, becomes... (913)
On June 6, 913: Constantine VII, the eight-year-old illegitimate son of Leo VI the Wise, becomes nominal ruler of the Byzantine Empire under the regency of a seven-man council headed by Patriarch Nich
On This Day: Tropical Storm Allison makes landfall on the upper-Texas coastline as a strong... (2001)
On June 5, 2001: Tropical Storm Allison makes landfall on the upper-Texas coastline as a strong tropical storm and dumps large amounts of rain over Houston. The storm causes $5.5 billion in damages, m