On Tuesday, Oct. 1st, former President Jimmy Carter celebrated his 100th birthday in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. As the longest-living US ex-president, Carter’s milestone is a testament to a life dedicated to public service and humanitarian efforts.
After spending the last 19 months in hospice, he visited the White House, where the North Lawn was adorned with a giant golden “100” and the message “Happy Birthday President Carter.” Meanwhile, in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, they threw their 100th birthday party with a concert and a flyover.
“Not everybody gets 100 years on this earth, and when somebody does, and when they use that time to do so much good for so many people, it’s worth celebrating,” grandson and chair of The Carter Center governing board, Jason Carter said in an interview with AP News.
Before Carter became president, he served as a Georgia state senator from 1963 to 1971. He announced his presidential campaign in 1974, despite not being very popular and having little chance of winning. However, his persistence paid off, and he was elected as the 39th president in 1977. During his presidency, he granted pardons to people who evaded the draft in the Vietnam War and implemented credit control measures.
During his presidency, Carter made significant strides in international diplomacy by working to resolve conflicts, signing the Camp David Accords, returning the Panama Canal to Panama, and signing the SALT II nuclear arms reduction treaty.
Even after leaving office in 1981, Carter continued to make a difference by establishing the Carter Center in 1982. This nongovernmental, nonprofit organization is dedicated to resolving conflicts, advancing democracy and human rights, preventing disease, and improving mental health care.
Former President Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday celebration is a tribute to a lifetime of dedication to public service and humanitarian efforts. As we celebrate his centennial milestone, we recognize the significance of his contributions and the enduring legacy of a man who has dedicated his life to making the world a better place.
