Jimmy Carter, the 39 president of the U.S. is widely known for his impact on American politics, global diplomacy and humanitarian efforts. Serving from 1977 to 1981, Carter’s presidency was marked by both significant achievements and substantial challenges. However, his post-presidential work has become as defining as his time in office, cementing his legacy as a champion for peace, human rights and global health.
Born on Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, James Earl Carter Jr, grew up in a farm family. His father was a successful peanut farmer, Carter grew up on the values of hard work and community. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated in 1946, and then went on to serve in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear submarine program. In 1946, he married Rosalynn Smith of Plains; later on, he concluded his service in the U.S. He returned to his hometown in Georgia to run the family business and became involved in local politics.
Carter began his political career when he got elected into the Georgia State Senate in 1962. Later on, Carter served as the governor of Georgia from 1971-1975, he pushed for reforms in education, protection of the environment and racial integration. Because of this, Carter was able to gain recognition, eventually helping him win the presidency in 1976.
Carter’s presidency was defined by both his ideals and the difficult problems of the time. Domestically, he struggled with rising inflation, an energy crisis and a bad economy. His administration focused on energy conservation, environmental protection and deregulation of industries. Despite these challenges, Carter’s emphasis on human rights in foreign policy stood out. He organized the historic Camp David Accords in 1978, securing a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel and negotiated the Panama Canal Treaty, which returned control of the canal to Panama.
In 1980, he was defeated by Ronald Reagan in a landslide, marking the end of his presidency. Despite his loss, Carter only grew after he left office. He became an outspoken advocate for human rights, democracy and global health through The Carter Center.
According to the Carter Center website, “In 1982, he became University Distinguished Professor at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and with Rosalynn Carter founded The Carter Center.”
The Carter Center is a nonprofit organization and Carter’s work on disease eradication earned him widespread recognition. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his decades of work in promoting peace and democracy worldwide.
In 2015 Carter was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma. www.aacr.org says that “[Carter announced] he was cancer-free following radiation therapy and treatment with a cancer immunotherapy.”
Carter passed on Dec. 29, 2024, surrounded by his family in Plains, Georgia at the age of one hundred years old. He is the lowest living president of the United States and is remembered not only for his presidency but for his humanitarian efforts and leadership. He remains a figure of dedication to improving lives around the world. His life story serves as a reminder of the impact of making a commitment to creating a better world.
