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James Earl Carter, popularly known as Jimmy Carter was the 39th president of the United States who served from 1977 to 1981 as a member of the Democratic Party. He was also in fact the longest-living president and the one to see 100 years. On December 29th, 2024, he took his last breath and died in his hometown Plains, Georgia, 2 months after turning 100. The state funeral took place January 7, 2025, at the National Cathedral, then sent to Plains for burial.
Jimmy Carter was born October 1st 1924 in Plains, Georgia. In 1946, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, which paved the way for his career as a naval officer. He specialized in nuclear marine technology. Following the death of his father, Jimmy Carter resigned from his job as a Navy officer to take over his family’s peanut farming back in Georgia. This was hard during the first year but became a success after.
In 1955 he successfully ran for office for the first time for a seat on the Sumter County Board of Education, eventually becoming its chairman. He also became a church deacon and Sunday school teacher at the Plains Baptist Church. Jimmy’s political career began as a member of the Georgia Senate, serving two terms in the 127th and 128th Georgia General Assembly. Initially, he had lost to his opponent and challenged the results of the election, leading to a re-election. During his two terms in the state senate, Carter gained a reputation as a civil rights advocate, focusing on education, civil rights, and government reform.
In 1966, Carter planned to run for United States Congress. However, a Republican rival announced his candidacy for governor of Georgia, and Carter decided to challenge him. He did not win this election. In 1971, Carter ran again for governor and won the election, becoming Georgia’s 76th Governor on January 12, 1971. During this time, Carter tried to put an end to segregation and be a civil rights activist.
On December 12, 1974, Carter announced his presidential campaign at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. His speech contained themes of domestic inequality, optimism, and change. Although he was unknown as compared to the other running candidates, Carter presented a good campaign strategy which was very helpful to him in the long run. November 2, 1976, Jimmy Carter was elected 39th President of the United States and was inaugurated President of the United States of America on January 20, 1977, in Washington, D.C. After his first term, he was nominated for reelection, but lost to Ronald Reagan, and thereafter, did not run again.
Jimmy Carter would most likely be remembered for his post-presidency deeds. In 1982, President Carter became University Distinguished Professor at Emory University in Atlanta and, in partnership with Emory, he and his wife, Mrs. Rosalynn Carter founded The Carter Center to “wage peace, fight disease, and build hope” in nations around the world. This act earned him a Nobel Prize in 2002. He also volunteered every week, once a year at Habitat for Humanity to help build, renovate, and repair homes for people in need, as well as raising awareness for affordable housing.
The country has lost a great legend. Jimmy would not only be remembered for his time in office as president, but also for being an active American citizen as well as a humanitarian. He fulfilled his promise of casting a vote for the 2024 elections before he died.