(DCWatchdog.com) – Becoming the first U.S. president to reach this impressive and amazing milestone, former President Jimmy Carter celebrates his 100th birthday today.
Born in 1924 in Plains, Georgia, the Democrat president has lived a life filled with diverse roles, from naval engineer and peanut farmer to president of the United States.
Despite political controversy, his later years have been dedicated to humanitarian work.
To celebrate his birthday, the Carter Center will host a musical gala, and various local festivals, including the Plains Peanut Festival and the JC100 Film Festival, have been organized in his honor.
He will spend his 100th birthday at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he has resided since the early 1960s.
Carter served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. His administration was marked by both achievements and significant challenges.
Notably, he secured eight million new jobs but also faced high inflation and the Iran hostage crisis.
“Because we are free, we can never be indifferent to the fate of freedom elsewhere,” he said in his inaugural address in January. 20, 1977.
He added, “Our moral sense dictates a clear-cut preference for those societies which share with us an abiding respect for individual human rights.”
In 2002, Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian efforts and role in the Camp David Accords, which led to a historic peace agreement between Israel and Egypt.
His environmental policies also left a lasting impact, including the expansion of the national park system to protect over 100 million acres in Alaska.
Founded in 1982, the Carter Center has been another pillar of his legacy, which focuses on advancing human rights and reducing diseases like Guinea worm disease.
His numerous global initiatives and time teaching Sunday School have further cemented his reputation as a dedicated humanitarian.
Moreover, the former president has faced significant health challenges, including metastatic melanoma and several falls, and has been in hospice care since February 2023.
Yet, he has committed to voting in the upcoming election, reflecting his continued engagement in civic duties.
“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,” Jason Carter, the former president’s grandson and chair of The Carter Center governing board, stated.
In retirement, Carter and his late wife, Rosalynn, were strong advocates for Habitat for Humanity. Despite his complex legacy, Carter’s contributions to public service and humanitarian efforts continue to spark admiration and debate.
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