Video: 'Jimmy Carter - U.S. President | Mini Bio | BIO'
(Wednesday, October 1, 1924, 7:00 a.m. EST) — Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981, was born James Earl Carter, Jr., today in the small town of Plains, Georgia.
Carter’s early life in Plains shaped his values and ambitions.
After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946, he served in the U.S. Navy’s submarine service before returning to his roots to revive his family’s peanut-growing business.
His commitment to civil rights and opposition to racial segregation soon propelled him into political life. Carter served as a Georgia state senator from 1963 to 1967 before becoming the 76th governor of Georgia, a position he held from 1971 to 1975.
In 1976, as a relatively unknown candidate, Carter clinched the Democratic nomination and narrowly defeated incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford.
His presidency was marked by significant achievements and challenges. He granted clemency to Vietnam War draft evaders, spearheaded a national energy policy, and made notable strides in foreign diplomacy with the Camp David Accords and the Panama Canal Treaties.
Video: 'Jimmy Carter - The Most Admired Statesmen and Humanitarians in America.'
Carter’s tenure also faced numerous crises, including the Iran hostage crisis, an energy crisis, the Three Mile Island accident, the Nicaraguan Revolution, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
His response to these events included ending détente with the Soviets, imposing a grain embargo, and leading a boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. Despite these efforts, Carter lost his bid for re-election to Ronald Reagan in a landslide.
Post-presidency, Carter made a remarkable impact through the Carter Center, focusing on human rights, peace negotiations, election monitoring, and disease eradication. His dedication earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Carter has also been a prominent figure in Habitat for Humanity and has written extensively on political and global issues, including critical commentary on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Though his presidency is often rated below average by historians and political scientists, Carter’s post-presidency work is widely acclaimed, solidifying his legacy as a humanitarian and advocate for global change.
