Jimmy Carter celebrates 100th birthday, becomes first former US President to reach century

United States: Jimmy Carter, former U.S. President, reached his 100th birthday on Tuesday, making him the first former president to hit the century mark. It’s an incredible achievement for the man who began as a peanut farmer in Georgia and later became one of the most respected leaders in the world.

A quiet celebration at home

Though Carter has been in hospice care for over 19 months, his birthday was celebrated quietly at home in Plains, Georgia. He spent the day with his family in the house he and his late wife Rosalynn built back in the 1960s. His grandson, Josh Carter, shared that the family enjoyed a meal together, typical of the area.

"It's South Georgia, so of course we had fried chicken and grilled cheese sandwiches. It was a lively family gathering," Josh said.

Carter also enjoyed a special flyover of F-18 jets and vintage planes, which filled the skies over his hometown as part of the celebrations. A media footage showed Carter being brought outside to his garden to watch the event with his family.

Tributes from around the world

Many tributes poured in for the former president. President Joe Biden praised him in a video, calling Carter a "beloved friend" and "one of the most influential statesmen" in U.S. history. Even the White House had a "Happy Birthday President Carter" sign on the lawn.

Other tributes came from Vice President Kamala Harris, former president Barack Obama, and Britain’s King Charles III, who sent a private message. In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp declared it “Jimmy Carter Day” statewide.

Carter’s legacy

Jimmy Carter served as president from 1977 to 1981. He worked hard for world peace and human rights, and in 1982, he founded the Carter Center to keep working on global diplomacy. In 2002, he was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

His presidency included big moments like the 1978 Camp David Accords, where peace was made between Israel and Egypt. He also helped build a stronger relationship with China and returned control of the Panama Canal to Panama. But his time in office wasn’t without problems, including the Iran hostage crisis and an oil shortage in 1979-1980, which hurt his chances for a second term.

Hometown pride

In his hometown of Plains, Georgia, Carter remains a source of pride. Jill Stuckey, who has known the family for years, said, “We are thrilled that the president from this little town is the first to live to be 100 years old.”

Plains High School, where Carter graduated in 1941, held special events in his honor. In the morning, 100 new U.S. citizens took part in a naturalization ceremony, and in the evening, the school hosted a concert for Carter, with video messages from famous musicians like Willie Nelson and Garth Brooks.

 A life of faith and service

Carter, a devout Baptist and “born-again” Christian, is known for his deep faith and kindness. Even people who didn’t agree with him politically have always admired his moral character and his civility.

Carter still takes a strong interest in politics and is excited to cast his vote in the upcoming election by mail. According to family friend Jill Stuckey, “He’s always been politically active, and that hasn’t changed.”

Though Plains is mostly supportive of Republican Donald Trump, many signs celebrating Carter’s 100th birthday can be seen alongside Trump signs in the area. Carl Lowell, a longtime resident, said, “Jimmy’s a good man, he’s a godly man, and that’s what people like about him.”