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Former President Carter Dies at Age 100
Former President Jimmy Carter dies at 100 after redefining post-presidential life in America.
What Happened?
James ‘Jimmy’ Earl Carter Jr., the 39th President of the United States and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, died peacefully at his home at the age of 100 Sunday.
The Carter Center had previously said the former president, after several hospital stays, would stop further medical treatment and spend his remaining time at home under hospice care.
He had been treated in recent years for an aggressive form of melanoma skin cancer, with tumors that spread to his liver and brain.
Mr. Carter is survived by his children Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Why it Matters
According to the Washington Post:
‘The Carter Center said Sunday that public observances will be held in Atlanta and Washington, to be followed by a private interment in Plains (Georgia). President Joe Biden said he ordered a national day of mourning on Jan. 9, but other details for the final arrangements, including all public events and motorcade routes, are still pending. Biden issued a proclamation ordering U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days at federal buildings and military installations.’
Mr. Carter left behind a dual legacy. One defined by his term of office in the White House from 1977 through 1981 and the other consisting of his post-Presidential life, which was defined by his work building homes with the non-profit Habitat for Humanity.
His single term in the Presidency was defined by events in the Middle East. On the positive side, former President Carter negotiated the Camp David Accords, a historical peace deal which for the first time normalized relations between Egypt and Israel.
The Carter Presidency will also be remembered for the Iran hostage crisis, and the failure of U.S. military forces to free American hostages from their captivity in Tehran. The hostage crisis and the failure of the Carter Administration to resolve it led to the landslide victory of Ronald Reagan in 1980.
But Mr. Carter’s biggest legacy will likely be the work he did after leaving the White House. Over the course of 40 years Mr. Carter helped build 4,000 homes with Habitat for Humanity.
His efforts to broker peace deals through diplomacy around the world resulted in the award of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
How it Affects You
Jimmy Carter was the first former U.S. President to live to the age of 100. He established the current trend of former occupants of the White House becoming more popular after their tenure in office has ended.
Mr. Carter led a full life and achieved the American dream. From humble origins as a peanut farmer in Georgia he served his country as an officer in the U.S. Navy before becoming Governor of Georgia then President of the United States.
He lived his values long after his time in public office ended, continuing to work for peace and prosperity for nearly half a century after he was President.