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: John Murray (also known as Lord Dunmore), the Royal Governor of the Colony of... (1775)
On November 7, 1775: John Murray (also known as Lord Dunmore), the Royal Governor of the Colony of Virginia, starts the first mass emancipation of slaves in North America by issuing Lord Dunmore's Off
On This Day: Battle of Baltimore: The poem Defence of Fort McHenry is written by Francis... (1814)
On September 14, 1814: Battle of Baltimore: The poem Defence of Fort McHenry is written by Francis Scott Key. The poem is later used as the lyrics of The Star-Spangled Banner. This historical event c
On This Day: Syrian civil war: The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launch an offensive to... (2016)
On November 6, 2016: Syrian civil war: The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launch an offensive to capture the city of Raqqa from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). This historical event
On This Day: Death of Queen Elizabeth II: The Queen's coffin is taken from Buckingham Palace,... (2022)
On September 14, 2022: Death of Queen Elizabeth II: The Queen's coffin is taken from Buckingham Palace, placed on a gun carriage of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and moved in a procession to
On This Day: Seven Years' War: Battle of Signal Hill. (1762)
On September 15, 1762: Seven Years' War: Battle of Signal Hill. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: British forces land at Kip's Bay during the New York... (1776)
On September 15, 1776: American Revolutionary War: British forces land at Kip's Bay during the New York Campaign. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works
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: Franco-Prussian War: The last Imperial German Army troops leave France upon... (1873)
On September 15, 1873: Franco-Prussian War: The last Imperial German Army troops leave France upon completion of payment of indemnity. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustratio
On This Day: Nazi Germany announces two new laws related to race and the rights of Jews. ... (1935)
On September 15, 1935: Nazi Germany announces two new laws related to race and the rights of Jews. These became known as the Nuremberg Race Laws. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon
On This Day: World War II: U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Wasp is sunk by Japanese torpedoes... (1942)
On September 15, 1942: World War II: U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Wasp is sunk by Japanese torpedoes at Guadalcanal. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God
On This Day: The Soviet ship Poltava heads toward Cuba, one of the events that sets into... (1962)
On September 15, 1962: The Soviet ship Poltava heads toward Cuba, one of the events that sets into motion the Cuban Missile Crisis. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration a
On This Day: Anglo-Zulu War: Battle of Kambula: British forces defeat 20,000 Zulus. (1879)
On March 29, 1879: Anglo-Zulu War: Battle of Kambula: British forces defeat 20,000 Zulus. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of h
On This Day: Avar-Byzantine wars: The Avars lift the siege at the Byzantine stronghold of... (598)
On March 30, 598: Avar-Byzantine wars: The Avars lift the siege at the Byzantine stronghold of Tomis. Their leader Bayan I retreats north of the Danube River after the Avaro-Slavic army is decimated b
On This Day: Physicist Augustin Fresnel reads a memoir on optical rotation to the French... (1818)
On March 30, 1818: Physicist Augustin Fresnel reads a memoir on optical rotation to the French Academy of Sciences, reporting that when polarized light is "depolarized" by a Fresnel rhomb, its propert
On This Day: Howard Hughes sets a new air record by flying from Los Angeles to New York City... (1937)
On January 19, 1937: Howard Hughes sets a new air record by flying from Los Angeles to New York City in seven hours, 28 minutes, 25 seconds. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illus
On This Day: With the Grito de Dolores, Father Miguel Hidalgo begins Mexico's fight for... (1810)
On September 16, 1810: With the Grito de Dolores, Father Miguel Hidalgo begins Mexico's fight for independence from Spain. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the
On This Day: World War II: Italian troops conquer Sidi Barrani. (1940)
On September 16, 1940: World War II: Italian troops conquer Sidi Barrani. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider
On This Day: Papua New Guinea gains independence from Australia. (1975)
On September 16, 1975: Papua New Guinea gains independence from Australia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using i
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 Battle of Myriokephalon is the last attempt by the Byzantine Empire to... (1176)
On September 17, 1176: The Battle of Myriokephalon is the last attempt by the Byzantine Empire to recover central Anatolia from the Seljuk Turks. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon
On This Day: The Treaty of Bergerac is signed between King Henry III of France and the... (1577)
On September 17, 1577: The Treaty of Bergerac is signed between King Henry III of France and the Huguenots. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership an
On This Day: Sweden wins a major victory at the Battle of Breitenfeld against the Holy Roman... (1631)
On September 17, 1631: Sweden wins a major victory at the Battle of Breitenfeld against the Holy Roman Empire during the Thirty Years' War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illust
On This Day: Colombian conflict, leftist guerrillas of the 19th of April Movement seize... (1985)
On November 6, 1985: Colombian conflict, leftist guerrillas of the 19th of April Movement seize control of the Palace of Justice in Bogotá. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illust
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