Former President Jimmy Carter is marking another significant milestone: his 100th birthday on Tuesday.
As the longest-living U.S. president in America’s history, Carter’s life has spanned a century of remarkable transformations in America and around the world.
Born in 1924 in the small town of Plains, Georgia, Carter has witnessed a dramatic change and growth throughout the country, with a U.S. population of approximately 114 million at his birth to over 330 million today. From an additional perspective, the world’s global population has similarly surged in that time, quadrupling during Carter’s lifetime from 1.9 billion to more than 8 billion, according to a report from The Associated Press.
While the country has changed rapidly, the town of Plains has remained a close-knit community, growing from about 500 residents to around 700. Carter and his late wife, Rosalynn, are the town’s most notable figures.
From 1977 to 1981, Carter’s presidency was marked by many significant events, including the energy crisis, the Camp David Accords, and the Iran hostage situation. His emphasis on human rights and diplomacy set a new tone for American foreign policy throughout his presidency.
In his later years, Carter continued to push certain humanitarian philosophies, mainly through his work with Habitat for Humanity and his contributions to global health initiatives.
Local celebrations are planned in Plains to honor Carter’s century-long life and accomplishments. Additionally, President Joe Biden penned a letter to Carter, highlighted in a report from CBS News, detailing his admiration for the former president and his tenacity throughout his 100-year life.
“Mr. President, you’ve always been a moral force for our nation and the world. I recognized that as a young senator. That’s why I supported you so early. You’re a voice of courage, conviction, compassion, and most of all, a beloved friend of Jill and me and our family,” Biden wrote.
“Put simply, Mr. President, I admire you so darn much. Jill and I send to you and your incredible family our love. May God continue to bless you, Mr. President. You’ve been a good friend,” Biden concluded in his birthday letter to Carter.
Biden has consistently made public attempts to reaffirm his support and admiration of Carter and his family, as evident in a statement issued by the White House after former First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s passing in November 2023.
“On behalf of a grateful nation, we send our love to President Carter, the entire Carter family, and the countless people across our nation and the world whose lives are better, fuller, and brighter because of the life and legacy of Rosalynn Carter,” Biden said in the statement.
Rosalynn battled dementia until the age of 95, residing with her husband in Plains before entering hospice care in May of 2023, until her passing, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.