For six weeks beginning June 25, we’re posting trivia questions about the Graham family as part of our summer email series. This is week three.
Read the trivia questions from week 1, week 2, week 4, week 5 and week 6.
Q: Which U.S. president owed Billy Graham $5?
A: Richard Nixon
On May 28, 1970, President Nixon spoke during the opening of Billy Graham’s Crusade at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Later that night, Nixon realized he had no money in his wallet to give for the offering. Billy Graham slipped him several bills without anyone in the stadium noticing.
On Oct. 2, Billy received a letter from the White House, including a check for $5. Nixon wrote:
“A number of presidents have looked to you for spiritual sustenance over the years, but I suspect I was the first to hit you for a loan … I deeply appreciated the emergency financing which you quickly arranged for me that evening in Knoxville. I only wish that all the money problems that confront me could be handled that efficiently.”
Billy Graham never cashed the check that Nixon gave him. That same check can be found on display in the Billy Graham Library.
