Department of Energy: In response to the U.S. energy crisis, President Carter established the Department of Energy, introducing the first new Cabinet position in over ten years.
Nuclear power plant meltdown: On March 28, 1979, a reactor at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station in Pennsylvania experienced a partial meltdown. President Carter, a former engineering officer in the Navy, personally inspected the plant on April 1. This incident led to the implementation of stricter safety regulations for nuclear power plants across the United States.
1980 State of the Union: Throughout his presidency, Carter focused on de-escalating tensions during the Cold War. In his final State of the Union address, he emphasized the critical role of the relationship between the U.S. and the Soviet Union in global peace.
Iran hostage crisis: From November 4, 1979, to January 20, 1981, 52 American citizens, including members of the Diplomatic Corps, were held hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran. The hostage situation began when Iranian militants seized the embassy, marking a significant challenge for Carter’s administration and widely considered a factor in his electoral defeat to Ronald Reagan in 1980.
1980 presidential election: Ronald Reagan secured victory in the 1980 presidential election with 489 electoral votes, compared to Carter’s 49. This concluded Carter’s single term as president on January 20, 1981.
Jimmy Carter’s life after the presidency:
Carter Center: Following his time in office, Carter established the Carter Center, a prominent human rights organization. The organization’s achievements include overseeing 113 elections in 39 countries and playing a significant role in reducing Guinea worm disease cases by 99.99%, effectively eradicating the disease.
Nobel Peace Prize: In recognition of his dedicated efforts to promote peace, democracy, human rights, and social development, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his extensive work with the Carter Center.
Hurricane Sandy relief: After the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Carter actively participated in the rebuilding efforts, collaborating with Habitat for Humanity to restore homes for those affected by the disaster.
Former President Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981 and recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, was captured in a photograph at the Peninsula Hotel in New York City.
Cancer diagnosis: In 2015, Carter revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer and underwent successful surgery to remove a mass from his liver. Subsequent assessments confirmed that he was cancer-free.
Oldest living former president: Carter set several longevity records, becoming the longest-living former president on March 22, 2019. His attendance at Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2017 also marked him as the oldest former president to participate in an inauguration.
