On the coming Tuesday, we acknowledge a significant occasion as former President Jimmy Carter reaches a momentous 100 years of age. The 39th President of our fantastic nation is the first to witness life span across an entire century. Trading on his legacy of being the ‘first’ in many respects, Carter continues to blaze a trail – he was the first-born president in a hospital and the initial graduate of the Naval Academy to govern the country.
Furthermore, his foreign diplomatic ventures were folklore, including the inception of formal state visits to Sub-Saharan Africa. As he pilots through his 100th year, he stands tall in this unique category as the first President of the United States to accomplish this feat. However, his determination and resilience were never confined to his political career, but instead are intrinsic qualities that define Jimmy Carter the man.
Even in this phase of his life, Carter holds strong to his roots in Plains, Georgia, his home since he moved on from the highest office in the land in 1981. Being under home hospice care for two years now, this February turns a new page for the former President. Defying odds and expectations, he has lived on to outlive his beloved spouse, Rosalynn, who passed on last year at the age of 96.
When asked what sets Carter apart from some of his counterparts who have also lived long, the word ‘tenacity’ sprang forward. An observer shared, ‘President and Mrs. Carter were dedicated to leading as fulfilling a life as possible, ensuring they were as healthy as they could be, with the noble goal of assisting as many people as they could.’
Their nearly idyllic lifestyle is not just mere words but substantive action – a careful diet and a punctual exercise routine were part and parcel of their everyday lives. Their unfaltering discipline reflected the intent with which they wanted to contribute to society, and President Carter’s current journey exemplifies that such perseverance indeed pays off.
In honor of this grandiose occasion – his 100th birthday – Plains, his home town, has been hosting celebrations since Saturday. Corresponding with the town’s annually celebrated peanut festival, it acted as the perfect foil to start the celebrations. ‘We honor the annual peanut harvest here in Plains, and it coincidentally aligns with President Carter’s birthday. So, we intertwine both events,’ stated an official.
Continuing the festivities, several commemorations are expected on Carter’s birthday this Tuesday, including the naturalization of a symbolic number of new hundred citizens at Plains High School – the alma mater of not just President Carter but also his late wife, Rosalynn.
To enhance the celebratory mood and honor this living legend, arrangements are in place to conduct a noteworthy flyover post the naturalization ceremony. To add another feather to these grand celebrations, a ribbon-cutting ceremony for newly-commissioned statues dedicated to the Bill of Rights and the Constitution is on the docket for late Tuesday afternoon.
Across the nation, in St. Paul, Minnesota, local volunteers seized the opportunity to mark Carter’s 100th birthday in their way, undertaking a construction project over five weekdays to build 30 new homes. Adding a flavor of stardom to these humble efforts, country music artists Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood joined in to lend their support.
Moreover, Grand Ole Opry member and country music stalwart Charlie McCoy honored the former president by performing a special rendition of ‘Georgia On My Mind’ over the weekend, making it a heartwarming nod to Carter’s rural Georgian roots.
Carter’s years in presidency are also noteworthy for his persistent efforts towards environmental conservation, human rights, and pushing American education to its zenith. Under his administration, the civil service system saw a significant revamp, coupled with deregulation of the airline industry to promote competition.
Furthermore, it was Carter who established the Energy and Education departments – underlining his commitment to securing a future for our nation. An addition to his legacy was the mandate requiring vehicles to have both seat belts and airbags – a step towards improving safety norms in the country.
However, the Carter administration also faced its share of trials, including an energy crisis, high inflation, and unsuccessful negotiations to secure the release of several American hostages held captive in Iran during an ongoing revolution. Concurrently, escalating oil prices gave the American public another cause for concern.
In his candid address to the nation, Carter spoke, ‘We witness a crisis of the American spirit around us… For the first time in the history of our country, the majority fear that the upcoming five years will fare worse than the preceding ones… Our people’s productivity is dwindling, and the propensity to save falls beneath other Western nations.’
Despite the hard truths, Carter was not one to shy away from provoking thought and advocating change. ‘We must acknowledge the truth, and only then can we change our trajectory… Faith in each other, our governance, and the future of this nation is paramount… Restoring such faith and confidence is presently our most critical task,’ he asserted.
Even in his twilight years, this stalwart of American history continues to stand tall, inspiring us all with his journey, lived with purpose, tireless dedication, and unwavering faith in the future of our great nation. Here’s to celebrating Jimmy Carter and all that he has achieved across 100 remarkable years.