‘An incredible American story’: Mourners line the streets of Plains to pay tribute to former President Jimmy Carter. Who was Jimmy Carter? The son of a farmer and nurse, Carter was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, as outlined in his official biography. Growing up in the nearby town of Archery, he received his education in public schools, went on to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, and eventually became a nuclear engineer, serving aboard the second nuclear submarine. In 1946, he married Rosalynn Smith.
Following his father’s passing, Carter returned to his family farm and took on the operation of a seed and farm supply company in Plains. He later went on to serve in the Georgia Senate before assuming the role of governor in 1971. In 1976, Carter, running as a Democrat, successfully won the presidency at the age of 52, serving a single term in the White House.
During his presidential tenure, Carter focused on expanding diplomatic relations globally, investing in the energy sector, and increasing national park space for Americans. However, his administration also faced challenges such as inflation and the American hostage crisis, which likely contributed to his defeat in the re-election bid against Ronald Reagan.
Following his presidential term, Carter engaged in extensive post-presidential activities, particularly in humanitarian efforts worldwide, including combatting preventable diseases. In 2002, he was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize for his dedication to seeking peaceful resolutions to international conflicts, advocating for democracy and human rights, and fostering economic and social development.
On November 19, 2023, Rosalynn Carter passed away at the age of 96 at their residence in Plains. Additional reporting by Ryne Dennis, Evan Lasseter, Sarah Clifton, and Eduardo Cuevas. This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Jimmy Carter live updates: Former president to lie in state at Capitol.
