Jimmy Carter Timeline: A Life of Service and Dedication
James Earl Carter Jr., known as Jimmy Carter, was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, to James Sr. and Lillian Gordy Carter. Following his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1946, Carter married Rosalynn Smith the same month, with whom he had four children: John William (“Jack”) in 1947, James Earl III (“Chip”) in 1950, Donnel Jeffrey (“Jeff”) in 1952, and Amy Lynn in 1967.
Between 1946 and 1953, Carter served in a Navy nuclear submarine program, eventually achieving the rank of lieutenant commander. After resigning from the Navy in the summer of 1953 due to the death of his father, he went back to his hometown of Plains, where he managed the family peanut farm and warehouse until 1971. During his time in Georgia’s state politics, he held office in the state Senate from 1963 to 1966 and made an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination that year. However, by November 1970, Carter successfully won the governorship of Georgia, serving from 1971 to 1975.
Carter embarked on his presidential campaign on December 12, 1974, an announcement met with skepticism from local media. By January 1976, he gained considerable momentum in the Democratic primaries and ultimately secured the Democratic nomination by July, choosing Sen. Walter Mondale as his running mate. In the November elections that year, he defeated President Gerald Ford, capturing 51% of the popular vote.
Being sworn in as the 39th president of the United States in January 1977, Carter made headlines by pardoning many Vietnam-era draft evaders on his first full day in office. He signed significant treaties concerning the Panama Canal with Panama in September 1977 and brokered the historic Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel in 1978.
Carter’s administration also navigated various foreign policy challenges, including a summit with Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev in 1979, leading to the SALT II treaty. However, his tenure faced significant hurdles, notably the Iranian hostage crisis that began in November 1979 when militants took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. The situation resulted in 52 hostages being held until they were freed shortly after Carter left office in January 1981. The Mariel boatlift in 1980 also created a significant foreign crisis owing to the influx of Cuban refugees.
Carter sought a second term but was beaten by Ronald Reagan in November 1980. Following his presidency, he founded The Carter Center in 1982 alongside Rosalynn to focus on human rights, conflict resolution, and disease prevention globally. In the years that followed, he became known for his humanitarian efforts, including building Habitat for Humanity homes and monitoring elections in various countries.
Among his notable achievements post-presidency was receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his unwavering dedication to promoting peace, democracy, and human rights. Carter remained active in various humanitarian pursuits and continued to advocate for global issues throughout his later years. He celebrated his 90th birthday in October 2014 and continued to make appearances, participating in Habitat for Humanity projects even at an advanced age.
In February 2023, he entered home hospice care after several hospitalizations. His wife, Rosalynn, passed away in November 2023. Remarkably, Carter celebrated his 100th birthday on October 1, 2024, making history as the first former U.S. president to reach this milestone. Just over two months later, on December 29, 2024, he passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, leaving behind a legacy of service, compassion, and commitment to bettering the world.
