The Rev. Billy Graham, who rose to prominence in the 1940s as a charismatic orator with a heart for sharing his faith in Jesus Christ, is best known for his crusades that drew crowds that packed stadiums and other large venues for more than a generation.
Graham’s role as a spiritual advisor is well documented, but what might not be well known is how much of an impact he truly had on modern political history.
1. While his relationship with presidents has differed, Graham has met personally with a dozen presidents — from Harry S. Truman to Barack Obama.
What also might not be readily known is how much of a reach Graham’s messages have had in the past seven decades.
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2. According to a CNN compilation on Graham’s life, the renowned preacher has spoken to more than 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories.
Graham embraced the concept of civil rights before it became widely accepted throughout sections of the United States.
3. At a Jackson, Mississippi, revival in 1952, Graham removed the ropes that separated black and white sections of his audience. When the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. rose to prominence, Graham became a close ally.
Aspects of Graham’s home life have been widely circulated. His wife of 64 years, Ruth Bell Graham, died in 2007.
4. The couple had five children, all of whom have gone on to some form of ministry. The oldest of the Grahams’ children is Virginia (1945), followed by Anne Morrow (1948), Ruth Bell (1950), William Franklin III (1952), and Nelson Edman (1958).
Graham publicly has shied away from talking about any sort of celebrity status, preferring instead to shine the light on his Christian beliefs. But his notoriety in popular culture is represented through a number of gestures.
5. Case in point: He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In fact, Graham was the 1,000th person to have a star installed.
6. Other signs of his influence are, perhaps, best represented by the fact he received an honorary knighthood by Sir Christopher Meyer at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., in 2001.
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7. Graham also has been recognized frequently as one of the 10 most admired men in the world by the Gallup organization.
Graham’s markings within the Christian community are also prevalent.
8. For example, he founded the long-running Christianity Today magazine — one of the most influential publications in the evangelical sphere.
9. Additionally, Graham served as president of Northwestern Bible College in St. Paul, Minnesota.
10. Graham’s life and legacy are also represented at the Billy Graham Library, a popular museum in Charlotte, N.C., near his hometown. The 40,000-square-foot library and museum opened its doors in 2007.
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