America celebrates Jimmy Carter as our oldest living former president

Messages flooded social media on Tuesday congratulating Jimmy Carter, the first former United States president to reach age 100.

Carter served as the 39th president from 1977 to 1981. He was the 76th governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975 and a Georgia senator from 1963 to 1967. Today makes it official that he is America’s longest-lived president.

Born and raised in Plains, Georgia, he graduated the U.S Naval Academy in 1946 and joined the submarine service. When he returned home to Georgia, he revitalized his family’s peanut-growing business.

He supported the civil rights movement and became active in the Democratic Party. In 1976, Carter narrowly defeated his Republican opponent Gerald Ford to become president.

“Personally, Jimmy Carter is a hero of mine because of his continued service after his presidency. His humanitarian work with Habitat for Humanity and his human rights initiatives show his faith in action,” said Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum President and CEO Robin von Seldeneck.

Wilson and Carter share several similarities, she said: they were both from the South, Democrats and served as governors before they were elected as president of the United States.

“Both considered themselves reformers and believed in science and technology as means to advance humankind. However, I believe their most substantial commonality is their deep religious faith, which significantly shaped their views on peace and diplomacy. Both were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts,” von Seldeneck said.

She added that she thinks American history will treat Carter with kindness for his impact after left office, not for his time in office as President.

Celebration of the former president’s 100th birthday began last weekend in Atlanta at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum.

“100 Portraits for 100 Years of Jimmy Carter” will be on display through November 30, 2024. The exhibit, as reported by the National Archives, highlights portraits of Carter and are mostly from the library’s own collection. The portraits are in oil, watercolor, pastels, charcoal and pencil drawings. Artists include Andy Warhol, little-known artists and novices.

The library opened in 1986 and is managed by the National Archives and Records Administration.

“In many ways, the museum collection at the Jimmy Carter Library reflects the enthusiasm of the American people for their national leader, and also how people all over the world perceive the President. The many portraits received by President and Mrs. Carter lend evidence to this enthusiasm, and we are delighted to be able to share these portraits with the public for President Carter’s 100th birthday,” Exhibit curator Sylvia Naguib said.

On Carter’s 100th birthday today, admission to the library was $1 or 100 cents, which followed a decade-long tradition by which the library adjusts its admission fee to reflect the former president’s age. A naturalization ceremony was also held today for 100 new citizens. National Public Radio conducted a live remote broadcast of “All Things Considered.” The Vietnamese American community donated a handmade wooden boat during a small ceremony this afternoon at the library to express their appreciation for Carter’s assistance and kindness toward refugees when the Vietnam War ended in 1975.

Events last weekend focused on Carter’s hobbies such as films and running. A film festival included films that he watched while in office, including “Jaws” and “All the President’s Men.” An outdoor viewing was held of “Star Wars: A New Hope.”

“Our month-long centennial celebrations for President Carter showcase the breadth of his legacy. We’re proud to honor a leader and statesman whose impact on our country, human rights and global peace have shaped our nation and the world,” Jimmy Carter Presidential Library Director Dr. Meredith Evans said.

Carter’s mother was a registered nurse when he was born and he was the first American president born in a hospital.

Carter married his sister Ruth’s friend, Rosalynn Smith, in 1946 and they were married until Smith died last November. During military deployments, the couple lived in several states, including Virginia.

The former president left active military duty in 1953, served in the Navy Reserve until 1961 and left with the rank of Lieutenant. Carter earned the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the China Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Carter was a personal friend of the late Elvis Presley.

He has three sons, one daughter, nine grandsons, three granddaughters, five great-grandsons and eight great-granddaughters. A grandson died in 2015.

Carter lost his three younger siblings to pancreatic cancer. His own journey with cancer began in 2015. He has lived in hospice care at home in Plains since February 2023.