Former US President Jimmy Carter Passed Away on Sunday. To Be Buried January 9

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States and a celebrated humanitarian, died on Sunday, December 29, at 100. Carter passed away peacefully in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.

The former President celebrated his 100th birthday in October. His death comes about a year after his wife, Rosalynn Carter, passed away in November 2023.

“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” said Chip Carter, his son. “The world is our family because of the way he brought people together.“

Life’s History & Politics

Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Carter grew up on his family’s peanut farm. He served as a naval officer, pioneering nuclear-powered submarines, before returning to Georgia to manage the family business following his father’s death.

Carter’s long life was dedicated mainly to public service, both in and out of office. He began his political career in the Georgia State Senate and became governor in 1970.

Carter won the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination as a dark horse candidate before defeating incumbent president Gerald Ford of the Republican Party in the 1976 election.

He served as President of the United States from 1977 to 1981, leading the country during a time of economic hardship and international crises.

His presidency is perhaps most remembered for the Camp David Accords, which established peace between Israel and Egypt. He also negotiated the transfer of the Panama Canal to Panamanian control.

However, Carter couldn’t secure a second term as President. A combination of high inflation, energy shortages, and the Iran hostage crisis overshadowed his successes, leading to his defeat by Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election.

Enduring Legacy

After his presidency in 1981, Carter redirected his efforts to humanitarian causes. His Carter Center worked to promote health, democracy, and peace worldwide. One of his proudest achievements was leading efforts to nearly eradicate Guinea worm disease.

In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in diplomacy, fostering democracy around the world, and disease eradication.

Historian Douglas Brinkley remarked, “He’s never going to be ranked as a great president. But as an American figure, he’s a giant.”

Despite several health challenges, including brain cancer in 2015 and a series of falls, Mr. Carter remained active in charitable work. He helped build homes with Habitat for Humanity and monitored elections in developing nations well into his 90s.

“I can’t deny that I was a better ex-president than I was a president,” Carter joked in 2005.

Carter’s legacy as a peacemaker and public servant endures. “The bond of our common humanity is stronger than the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices,” Carter once said. His life stands as a testament to that belief.

Mourning And State Funeral

President Joe Biden declared January 9 the date for Carter’s state funeral at Washington National Cathedral and a day of national mourning.

Biden also ordered U.S. flags flown at half-staff for 30 days.

In honour of Carter, the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will be closed that day, while bond markets will operate on reduced hours, closing early at 2 p.m. ET.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts announced the Supreme Court building would be closed on January 9, though the court was not scheduled for hearings that day.

While federal offices and the USPS will close, businesses and banks are not required to do so like on a federal holiday.

The last national day of mourning was for former President George H. W. Bush in December 2018.

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