Jimmy Carter, Former U.S. President and Humanitarian, Dies at 100

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 – Jimmy Carter, the former Georgia peanut farmer, state Senator and Governor of Georgia who rose to the presidency and became a global symbol of humanitarianism, passed away on Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia. He was 100 years old, the oldest surviving president till date.

President Joe Biden declared January 9^th as a National Day of Mourning in Carter’s honor, urging Americans to gather in their places of worship to pay tribute to the 39th president.

“I call on the American people to assemble… to pay homage to the memory of President James Earl Carter,” Biden stated.

Carter’s presidency, beginning in January 1977, was marked by both historic achievements and profound challenges. His greatest accomplishment was brokering the 1978 Camp David Accords, a peace agreement between Israel and Egypt that brought stability to the Middle East.

However, his term was marred by an economic recession, the Iran hostage crisis, and widespread unpopularity.

After losing his re-election bid in 1980 to Republican challenger Ronald Reagan, Carter devoted his post-presidential years to humanitarian work, earning global respect and a 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to promote peace, human rights, and democracy.

Tributes to a Peacemaker

World leaders and former presidents celebrated Carter’s legacy, highlighting his compassion and dedication to peace. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi praised Carter’s pivotal role in achieving peace between Egypt and Israel, calling it a milestone in history.

The Carter Center announced that public memorials will be held in Atlanta and Washington, followed by a private interment in Plains. Final arrangements for Carter’s state funeral are still pending.

A Life of Service

Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, Jimmy Carter was the eldest of four children. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946, he served in the Navy’s nuclear submarine program before returning home to manage his family’s peanut farm.

Carter entered politics as a Georgia state legislator, later serving as governor from 1971 to 1975. A centrist Democrat, he launched an underdog campaign for the 1976 presidency, defeating incumbent Gerald Ford in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal.

During his presidency, Carter championed energy conservation, human rights, and international diplomacy. He established the Departments of Energy and Education and oversaw the transfer of the Panama Canal to Panama.

The 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty, based on the Camp David Accords, remains one of his defining achievements. Carter personally mediated between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, traveling to Cairo and Jerusalem to finalize the agreement.

Challenges in Office

Despite his successes, Carter’s presidency faced significant obstacles. Double-digit inflation, high interest rates, and soaring gas prices plagued the economy. Meanwhile, the Iran hostage crisis — in which 52 Americans were held captive for 444 days — undermined his leadership. A failed rescue mission in April 1980 further eroded public confidence.

Carter’s political fortunes waned, and in the 1980 election, Reagan defeated him in a landslide. Carter later reflected, “The biggest failure we had was a political failure. I never was able to convince the American people that I was a forceful and strong leader.”

A Respected Former President

Carter’s reputation soared after he left office, with many considering him a more effective ex-president than commander-in-chief. He founded the Carter Center in 1982, which became a beacon for human rights advocacy, election monitoring, and global health initiatives.

Notably, he pardoned all draft evaders from the Vietnam war. Most were conscientious objectors who were opposed to the war on principle and opposed to the draft.

In 1994, Carter negotiated a nuclear freeze with North Korea. In the process he irked sitting president Bill Clinton as the negotiations were finalized before getting the president’s approval.

In 2010, he secured the release of an American detained in the country. These efforts exemplified his commitment to diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution.

A devout Southern Baptist, Carter’s moral integrity and commitment to faith shaped his public service. He taught Sunday school well into his later years, even after battling health issues, including melanoma that spread to his brain and liver.

Final Years and Legacy

In February 2023, Carter opted for hospice care, choosing comfort over further medical intervention. His wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, passed away on November 19, 2023, at age 96. The couple, who shared a deep bond, had four children.

Carter wrote over two dozen books, covering topics from memoirs and poetry to religion and diplomacy. His 2018 book, Faith: A Journey for All, highlighted his enduring belief in the power of hope and compassion.

As tributes pour in, Carter’s legacy as a tireless advocate for peace, human rights, and democracy remains undeniable. His presidency may have been fraught with challenges, but his post-White House years cemented his place as one of the most respected figures in modern history.