Remembering Jimmy Carter
James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th President of the United States, and the first and only President thus far to live to the age of 100, died today (December 29, 2024) at his home in Plains, Georgia. Better known as "Jimmy," he was the longest-lived president thus far and served as President from 1977 to 1981. A Democrat, Carter had also served in the Georgia State Senate from 1967 to 1971 and as the 76th Governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975.
Carter was born and raised in Plains, Georgia. He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1946 and joined the US Navy's submarine service. He returned home after his military service to operate his family's peanut-growing business. Carter stood out among southern politicians of his era as an opponent of racial segregation. He openly supported the growing civil rights movement and became an activist within the Democratic Party.
Carter was not well known outside of his home state of Georgia, but he ran for President at a time when the nation was looking for an outsider, in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. Carter won his party's nomination for President and narrowly defeated the incumbent president, Gerald Ford in the 1976 Presidential election.
On his second day in office Carter pardoned all of those who had evaded the draft during the Vietnam War. He created a national energy policy that called for conservation, price control, and new technology. On the international stage Carter successfully pursued the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, as well as the Panama Canal treaties, and the second round of the SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty) talks.
Carter's administration was confronted with a sluggish economy and a condition known as "stagflation" (the combination of high interest rates, high inflation and high unemployment.) His administration established two new government departments: the Department of Energy and the Department of Education.
Carter is the only president to serve a full term in office without appointing a US Supreme Court justice. The end of his presidency occurred amid the Iran hostage crisis, as well as an energy crisis, the Three Mile Island nuclear incident, a revolution in Nicaragua, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Carter responded to the invasion by ending the era of détente with the Soviets, imposing a grain embargo and leading a multinational boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.
Carter was challenged for his party's presidential nomination in 1980 by Ted Kennedy. He won the nomination, but was defeated in a landslide in the general election by Republican nominee Ronald Reagan.
After leaving the presidency, Carter established the Carter Center to promote and expand human rights. In 2002 he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the Center. He traveled extensively to conduct peace negotiations, monitor elections, and advocate for the eradication of infectious diseases. Carter was a leading figure in the nonprofit housing organization Habitat for Humanity. He also wrote numerous books, ranging from political memoirs to poetry. In retirement he continued to comment on global affairs, and wrote two books on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Carter is generally more highly regarded for his post-presidential career than for his presidency. His post-presidency was the longest in U.S. history.
On February 18, 2023, the Carter Center announced that following a "series of short hospital stays", Carter had decided to "spend his remaining time at home with his family" in Plains to "receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention "for an unspecified illness. He died at his home in Plains, Georgia, on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100. His son, James E. Carter III, announced his death that afternoon.
Carter is survived by his children, Jack, Chip , Jeff, and Amy; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Smith Carter, who died on Nov. 19, 2023, and was also predeceased by one grandchild. His son Chip Carter said:
"My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace , human rights, and unselfish love. My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs."
There will be public observances in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., followed by a private interment in Plains, Georgia . The final arrangements for President Carter's state funeral, including all public events and motorcade routes, are still pending. Members of the public are encouraged to visit the official tribute website to the life of President Carter. The Carter family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Carter Center, 453 John Lewis Freedom Parkway N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307.