President Joe Biden has declared that Thursday, January 9 will be a national day of mourning in remembrance of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Sunday in his hometown of Plains, Georgia at the age of 100. President Biden also announced that flags will be flown at half-staff at the White House, all public buildings and grounds, military posts, naval stations, and naval vessels for a period of 30 days starting from the day of President Carter’s passing.
In a statement released on Sunday, President Biden directed that representatives of the United States in foreign countries should also arrange for the display of flags at half-staff over their embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including military installations and naval vessels and stations, for the duration of 30 days.
President Biden called upon the American people to gather in their respective places of worship on January 9 to pay tribute to President Carter. He extended an invitation to individuals worldwide who share in the sorrow of President Carter’s passing to join in this moment of solemn observance.
On previous national days of mourning, such as after the deaths of former Presidents George H. W. Bush in 2018 and Gerald Ford in 2006, federal offices and stock markets were closed in the United States. The observance of the national day of mourning will be a time for reflection and honoring the legacy of President Carter.
Following his term in the White House, Jimmy Carter became a prominent and enduring figure in modern American politics. Susan Page from USA TODAY noted that despite leaving the White House at the age of 56, he held the distinction of being a former president longer than anyone in U.S. history. In 2019, he surpassed George H. W. Bush as the oldest living ex-president.
Chip Carter, the son of the late president, expressed his admiration for his father’s dedication to peace, human rights, and altruistic love. He remarked that his father’s beliefs united people around the world, emphasizing that the world is akin to a family due to the shared values his father embodied. Chip Carter expressed gratitude to those honoring his father’s memory by upholding these shared principles.
The Carter Center announced that public memorial events will be held in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. to commemorate the life and service of President Carter. President Biden indicated that an official state funeral would be arranged, with specific details awaiting confirmation from the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, as stated by the Carter Center.
President Carter had expressed his desire to be interred in Plains, Georgia, where his wife and former first lady, Rosalynn Carter, was laid to rest following her passing in 2023.
As the nation prepares to mourn the loss of President Jimmy Carter, the world reflects on his enduring impact on global affairs and his unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes. The upcoming national day of mourning will serve as a moment of unity and reverence for a statesman whose legacy continues to inspire generations.
