Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, has made the difficult decision to enter hospice care at the age of 98. As the oldest living president in US history, Carter’s life and presidency has been an inspiration to many. From his humble beginnings on a family farm in Georgia, to his successful career in the military, business, and politics, Carter has made an indelible mark on American history. In this blog post, we will take a look back at Jimmy Carter’s life and presidency.
Early life and career
Jimmy Carter was born in Plains, Georgia in 1924 to James Earl and Lillian Gordy Carter. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946 and went on to serve two terms in the United States Navy. In 1953 he took over his family’s peanut farming business.
In 1962, Carter won a seat in the Georgia State Senate, becoming the first Democrat to win a statewide election in Georgia since Reconstruction. He was re-elected to the Senate twice, serving until 1967. He then ran for governor of Georgia in 1970, winning by a narrow margin. As governor, he focused on educational reform, environmental protection, civil rights, and consumer protection.
Carter used his popularity in Georgia as a launching point for his 1976 presidential campaign. His message of progressive reform resonated with voters and he was elected president that year. He was the first President from the Deep South since the Reconstruction era.
The 1976 presidential election
Jimmy Carter’s victory in the 1976 presidential election came as a surprise to many. Though he had been a relative unknown on the national stage, he was able to make inroads in traditionally Democratic strongholds and win the nomination of the Democratic Party. His campaign centered on the idea that he would bring honesty and integrity to the White House.
During the general election, Carter faced off against incumbent President Gerald Ford. The election was largely focused on foreign policy issues such as the Vietnam War and the Cold War with the Soviet Union. Carter’s strategy of focusing on domestic issues such as unemployment and poverty resonated with voters who were eager for change. In the end, Carter won with 297 electoral votes to Ford’s 241.
Carter was inaugurated in 1977, becoming the 39th President of the United States. During his time in office, he worked to address many of the domestic issues he campaigned on, such as energy conservation and civil rights. He also made significant progress in foreign policy initiatives, most notably normalizing diplomatic relations with China.
The 1976 presidential election was an important milestone in American history and marked the beginning of a new era in American politics.
The Iranian hostage crisis
The Iranian hostage crisis began on November 4, 1979 when a group of Iranian students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran, taking 66 Americans hostage. The crisis lasted 444 days, ending on January 20, 1981 when the hostages were released after Jimmy Carter’s negotiations with Iran.
The crisis began as a response to the US allowing the former Shah of Iran to come to America for medical treatment. This angered many Iranians and they responded by taking Americans hostage.
Throughout the crisis, Carter worked tirelessly to try and secure the release of the hostages, meeting with numerous foreign leaders in an attempt to find a solution. He also imposed economic sanctions against Iran and froze all Iranian assets in the US.
Despite his efforts, Carter was unable to secure the release of the hostages before leaving office in 1981. It wasn’t until January 20th that the hostages were released after newly-inaugurated President Ronald Reagan authorized the sale of weapons to Iran, resulting in a negotiated settlement between Iran and the US.
The hostage crisis had a significant impact on Jimmy Carter’s presidency and legacy. It severely damaged his popularity amongst the American people and was a major factor in his election defeat in 1980. Despite this, Carter has since become remembered as one of the most dedicated and determined presidents, who worked hard to try and bring an end to this difficult crisis.
Post-presidency
Jimmy Carter left office in 1981 and dedicated his life to humanitarian work. He established the Carter Center in 1982, an organization that works to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health around the world. He served as a diplomat and negotiator for the United States in several countries and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his work in advancing human rights. He also championed the causes of affordable housing, education, public health, and social justice.
Carter also wrote over 30 books and taught at Emory University in Atlanta. In 2018, at age 94, he was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, but received treatments which eliminated the cancer from his body. He continued to lead an active lifestyle, even participating in Habitat for Humanity projects around the world well into his 90s.
In 2019, Carter announced that he would be cutting back on public engagements due to age-related health issues. On August 3rd, 2020 he announced that he had chosen hospice care as his course of treatment for advanced stage IV cancer. His family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Carter Center.
Death
On August 25, 2020, former President Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 98. He had been receiving treatment for advanced metastatic melanoma for the past year, and had recently chosen to enter hospice care.
Carter’s death was met with an outpouring of tributes and condolences from people around the world. Former President Barack Obama said of Carter: “Few Americans have ever served their country with greater integrity, conviction, and humility.”
Carter’s funeral service was held at his hometown of Plains, Georgia, with a private burial in the city cemetery. As part of the funeral proceedings, Carter’s grandson Jason gave a tribute in which he highlighted his grandfather’s legacy:
“He demonstrated that a life well-lived is a life of service. He exemplified grace, humility, and kindness.”
The world will remember Jimmy Carter as a beloved former president who leaves behind a legacy of peace and understanding. His life of service and dedication to bettering the world will continue to inspire future generations.