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: Maurice Papon, an official in the Vichy government during World War II, is... (1999)
On October 22, 1999: Maurice Papon, an official in the Vichy government during World War II, is jailed for crimes against humanity. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration a
On This Day: Alvan Graham Clark discovers the white dwarf star Sirius B, a companion of... (1862)
On January 31, 1862: Alvan Graham Clark discovers the white dwarf star Sirius B, a companion of Sirius, through an 18.5-inch (47 cm) telescope now located at Northwestern University. This historical
On This Day: Gunpowder Plot: Four of the conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, are executed for... (1606)
On January 31, 1606: Gunpowder Plot: Four of the conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, are executed for treason by hanging, drawing and quartering, for plotting against Parliament and King James. This
On This Day: The forces of the Sultanate of Muscat occupy the last strongholds of the Imamate... (1959)
On January 30, 1959: The forces of the Sultanate of Muscat occupy the last strongholds of the Imamate of Oman, Saiq and Shuraijah, marking the end of Jebel Akhdar War in Oman. This historical event c
On This Day: The founding of the Order of the Garter by King Edward III is announced on St.... (1348)
On April 23, 1348: The founding of the Order of the Garter by King Edward III is announced on St. George's Day. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadershi
On This Day: Following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in his home compound, India's... (1948)
On January 30, 1948: Following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in his home compound, India's prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, broadcasts to the nation, saying "The light has gone out of our lives
On This Day: Vietnam War: Tet Offensive launch by forces of the Viet Cong and North... (1968)
On January 30, 1968: Vietnam War: Tet Offensive launch by forces of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army against South Vietnam, the United States, and their allies. This historical event can serve
On This Day: A Varig Boeing 707-323C freighter, flown by the same commander as Flight 820,... (1979)
On January 30, 1979: A Varig Boeing 707-323C freighter, flown by the same commander as Flight 820, disappears over the Pacific Ocean 30 minutes after taking off from Tokyo. This historical event can
On This Day: World War II: The Wilhelm Gustloff, overfilled with German refugees, sinks in... (1945)
On January 30, 1945: World War II: The Wilhelm Gustloff, overfilled with German refugees, sinks in the Baltic Sea after being torpedoed by a Soviet submarine, killing approximately 9,500 people. This
On This Day: The Chinese People's Liberation Army declares a unilateral ceasefire in the... (1962)
On November 21, 1962: The Chinese People's Liberation Army declares a unilateral ceasefire in the Sino-Indian War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of
On This Day: The first duke of Brittany, Nominoe, defeats the Frankish king Charles the Bald... (845)
On November 22, 845: The first duke of Brittany, Nominoe, defeats the Frankish king Charles the Bald at the Battle of Ballon near Redon. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrat
On This Day: Rose Revolution: Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze resigns following weeks... (2003)
On November 23, 2003: Rose Revolution: Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze resigns following weeks of mass protests over flawed elections. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illu
On This Day: State funeral of John F. Kennedy; after lying in state at the United States... (1963)
On November 25, 1963: State funeral of John F. Kennedy; after lying in state at the United States Capitol, a Requiem Mass takes place at Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle and the President is burie
On This Day: Pope Sylvester I is consecrated, as successor to the late Pope Miltiades. (314)
On January 31, 314: Pope Sylvester I is consecrated, as successor to the late Pope Miltiades. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events
On This Day: In the United States, Civil Rights Movement leader Martin Luther King Jr.'s home... (1956)
On January 30, 1956: In the United States, Civil Rights Movement leader Martin Luther King Jr.'s home is bombed in retaliation for the Montgomery bus boycott. This historical event can serve as a pow
On This Day: Egyptian President Anwar Sadat becomes the first Arab leader to officially visit... (1977)
On November 20, 1977: Egyptian President Anwar Sadat becomes the first Arab leader to officially visit Israel, when he meets Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin and speaks before the Knesset in Jeru
On This Day: World War II: Raid at Cabanatuan: One hundred and twenty-six American Rangers... (1945)
On January 30, 1945: World War II: Raid at Cabanatuan: One hundred and twenty-six American Rangers and Filipino resistance fighters liberate over 500 Allied prisoners from the Japanese-controlled Caba
On This Day: An Azerbaijani MI-8 helicopter carrying 19 peacekeeping mission team with... (1991)
On November 20, 1991: An Azerbaijani MI-8 helicopter carrying 19 peacekeeping mission team with officials and journalists from Russia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan is shot down by Armenian military force
On This Day: Timur of Samarkand captures and sacks the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, taking... (1386)
On November 21, 1386: Timur of Samarkand captures and sacks the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, taking King Bagrat V of Georgia captive. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: The Battle of Lena takes place between King Sverker II of Sweden and his rival,... (1208)
On January 31, 1208: The Battle of Lena takes place between King Sverker II of Sweden and his rival, Prince Eric, whose victory puts him on the throne as King Eric X of Sweden. This historical event
On This Day: The original Lower Trenton Bridge (also called the Trenton Makes the World Takes... (1806)
On January 30, 1806: The original Lower Trenton Bridge (also called the Trenton Makes the World Takes Bridge), which spans the Delaware River between Morrisville, Pennsylvania and Trenton, New Jersey,
On This Day: World War II: The Battle of Cisterna, part of Operation Shingle, begins in... (1944)
On January 30, 1944: World War II: The Battle of Cisterna, part of Operation Shingle, begins in central Italy. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works th
On This Day: During a speech in the Reichstag, Adolf Hitler makes a prediction about the end... (1939)
On January 30, 1939: During a speech in the Reichstag, Adolf Hitler makes a prediction about the end of the Jewish race in Europe if another world war were to occur. This historical event can serve a
On This Day: The United States and Spain sign the Treaty of Madrid, which establishes the... (1795)
On October 27, 1795: The United States and Spain sign the Treaty of Madrid, which establishes the boundaries between Spanish colonies and the U.S. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon