Jimmy Carter, who was a peanut farmer before he became president of the United States, celebrated his 100th birthday on Tuesday.
He is the first president of the United States to reach the century mark, and this is yet another remarkable achievement for the man who eventually became president.
Carter has lived longer than anyone thought he would. He started hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia, more than 19 months ago.
The Democratic former president will spend his birthday in the Plains home he built with his late wife Rosalynn in the 1960s. He does not often go out in public.
A meal with about 20 members of his extended family is part of it, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
In a video on his official X account, President Joe Biden called Carter a “beloved friend” and “one of the most influential statesmen” in US history.
He said, “Your positive view of our country, your dedication to making the world a better place, and your unwavering faith in the strength of good people will continue to be a light for all of us.”
“Happy Birthday President Carter!” would be written on a sign that would be put up on the White House yard by the office of First Lady Jill Biden.
Carter was president for one term, from 1977 to 1981. He also worked as a global mediator, rights campaigner, and elder statesman. In 1982, he started the well-known Carter Centre to further his vision of world diplomacy.
The 1978 Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt were signed during his presidency.
Diplomatic ties with China were also established after President Richard Nixon tried to make things better between the two countries. Finally, Panama got back control of the Panama Canal.
But his government ran into many problems, such as the Iran hostage crisis and a new oil crisis in 1979–1980, which led to a landslide victory for Ronald Reagan.
Little town
In Plains, Georgia, on September 30, 2024, a sign honouring former US President Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday is put up in the window of a store. CHANDAN KHANNA took the picture (AFP).
AFP spoke to Jill Stuckey, director of the National Park Service’s Jimmy Carter historical site and a longtime family friend. “We are thrilled that the president from this little town will be the only president to ever live to be 100 years old,” she said.
The place where she spoke was Plains High School, where Carter graduated in 1941 and which is now the tourist centre for the national park that has places from his early life, like the peanut farm nearby where he grew up.
There will be a show at the school in the evening on Tuesday, and 100 new US citizens will also be naturalised.
Carter was a devout Baptist and self-described “born-again” Christian. He is remembered for being moral and polite, qualities that people on both sides of the aisle respected.
Stuckey said, “His healthy habits and faith are a big part of why he is still with it today.” He was talking about Carter’s love of fresh food and working out.
Always’ political
Carter is still very interested in politics and was very driven to reach 100 and vote for Kamala Harris, a fellow Democrat, in November.
The person who spoke to AFP said, “He will be voting by mail-in ballot. He has always been very politically active, and that has not changed.”
Lots more yard signs back Trump than Harris in Plains, as they do in many other rural areas with strong conservative Christian leanings.
However, it is not unusual to see a sign for Trump next to one celebrating Carter’s 100th birthday.
Carl Lowell has lived in Plains since he was a child. He says he tries to stay out of politics these days because they are “so divisive.”
Most people in Plains have some kind of connection to Carter. The 59-year-old former firefighter says that his grandfather helped build the Carters’ house and even went dove hunting with him once.
He said, “People like Jimmy because he is a good man and close to God.”
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