By Smartencyclopedia News Staff
October 1, 2024 – Plains, Georgia — Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, celebrates his 100th birthday today, becoming the first U.S. president to reach the milestone. Carter, a Democrat who served from 1977 to 1981, has spent the past 19 months in hospice care but remains actively engaged with his family and community.
Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter, noted that despite his health challenges, the former president is “emotionally engaged and still having experiences and laughing, loving.” The centenarian has even expressed a political wish: “I’m only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris” in November’s election, according to his grandson.
In honor of his 100th birthday, Habitat for Humanity — the charity Carter has worked with for 40 years — is building 30 homes in Minnesota this week, a fitting tribute to Carter’s lifelong commitment to affordable housing and humanitarian work.
Celebrations Across Georgia
In Carter’s hometown of Plains, Georgia, several events were organized to celebrate his centennial. The day began with a naturalization ceremony for 100 new U.S. citizens from 30 countries, symbolizing Carter’s dedication to human rights and equality. Later in the afternoon, the skies over Plains were filled with the roar of four F-18 jets during a military flyover.
Earlier in September, a star-studded concert was held in Atlanta to mark the occasion and raise over $1.2 million for The Carter Center, an organization Carter founded to promote global peace and health initiatives. Although Carter was unable to attend, he shared his gratitude for the event, saying, “It was an incredible evening, full of good music and heartfelt tributes, and it made history as the first-ever 100th birthday celebration for a living American president.”
The concert featured dozens of musical acts and messages from fellow U.S. presidents, with the event airing on Georgia Public Broadcasting on Carter’s birthday. The former president, who will watch the broadcast with his family, made a rare public appearance in November 2023 to attend a memorial service for his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away at age 96.
A Legacy of Service and Dedication
Carter’s 77-year marriage to Rosalynn remains the longest of any first couple in U.S. history, and his life has been marked by extraordinary achievements. Before entering the White House, Carter was a peanut farmer and served as Georgia’s governor. After leaving office, he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his work in conflict resolution, democracy promotion, and public health through The Carter Center.
Carter’s time in hospice care, which began in February 2023, has drawn attention to the value of hospice services in offering comfort during the final stage of life. Barbara Pearce, CEO of Connecticut Hospice, noted that Carter’s decision to enter hospice care has helped raise awareness about the option, stating, “He’s given everybody permission to consider [hospice care] as a reasonable option that doesn’t shorten their life, but does increase their comfort and fulfillment.”
For the Carter family, the past months have been a gift. “It’s a gift that I didn’t know we were going to get,” said his grandson Josh Carter. As millions around the world celebrate Carter’s 100th birthday, his legacy of public service, compassion, and leadership continues to inspire.