James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. (October 1, 1924-December 28, 2024) was the 39th President of the United States from 1977 - 1981, and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Prior to becoming president, Carter served two terms in the Georgia State Senate, and was the 76th Governor of Georgia from 1971-1975. During his presidency, he oversaw an historic treaty between Israel and Egypt, negotiated the immediate future of the Panama Canal, dealt with crises in nuclear power and shortages of energy, and issued proclamations condemning the Soviet war in Afghanistan. His fortunes took a downturn when his failure to bring about a quick end to the Iran Hostage Crisis in 1980 dashed his hopes for a second term. He was defeated by Ronald Reagan. Carter made the most of his post-presidency (the longest in U.S. history), and many have argued he has accomplished more as a former president than as president. He set up the Carter Center in 1982 as his base for advancing human rights. He also traveled extensively to conduct peace negotiations, observe elections, and advance disease prevention and eradication in developing nations. Additionally, Carter was a key figure in the Habitat for Humanity project for several years. Carter is the first US President to reach the age of 100. He lived long enough to vote for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Jimmy Carter in State of Jefferson[]
President Jimmy Carter lost his bid for a second term to Ronald Reagan in 1980.[1] Carter's term had seen sufficient turmoil that he was already weak entering the election. He faced a challenge within the Democratic Party from Edward Kennedy.[2] While Carter defeated Kennedy and secured the nomination,[3] the fight further damaged his position, which had been eroded by the Iran hostage crisis. He'd also alienated Democrats even more. Consequently, Carter lost by a landslide.[4] As the polls closed on the East Coast, Reagan's victory was assured. Adding insult to injury for the Democrats, Carter issued his concession speech two hours before the polls had closed on the West Coast, adversely affecting down-ballot candidates in tight races. For example, the Democrats' loss of the state of Jefferson's only seat in the House was at least in part due to Carter's ill-timed concession, a fact that rankled Jefferson's Democratic governor, Bill Williamson, the lieutenant governor, Al Rafferty, and state attorney general Hyman Apfelbaum.[5] Jimmy Carter in Southern Victory[]
![]() Jimmy, shortly before his death in 1942. Jimmy (1924-1942) was a Confederate Navy sailor in the Second Great War. In December 1942, while on leave in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, Jimmy organized the defenses of the town against a surprise raid by Spartacus and his band of guerrillas which included escaped US POWs. He was killed by US officer Jonathan Moss in front of his mother Miss Lillian.[6] Literary comment[]Although Jimmy is described well enough to identify him clearly, his surname is not given. References[]
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Jimmy Carter
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