Jimmy Carter’s life is a remarkable story of service, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
From his humble beginnings in Plains, Georgia, to his time as the 39th President of the United States, Carter’s journey has been defined by his dedication to public service, human rights, and global peace.
Even after leaving the White House, he became a beacon of humanitarian efforts, earning widespread respect for his tireless work through the Carter Center and his role as an international mediator.
This timeline captures the milestones of a man who has left an indelible mark on history, not just as a leader, but as a lifelong advocate for justice, compassion, and hope.
October 1, 1924 | Born in Plains, Georgia, as James Earl Carter Jr. |
1941 | Graduated from Plains High School. |
1943 | Enrolled at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. |
1946 | Graduated from the Naval Academy and married Rosalynn Smith. He served as a submariner in the U.S. Navy. |
1953 | Left the Navy after his father’s death to manage the family peanut farm in Plains, Georgia. |
1962 | Elected to the Georgia State Senate. |
1966 | Lost the Democratic primary for governor of Georgia. |
1970 | Successfully elected as Governor of Georgia, serving from 1971 to 1975. |
1974 | Announced his candidacy for president of the United States. |
November 2, 1976 | Elected as the 39th President, defeating incumbent Gerald Ford. |
January 20, 1977 | Inaugurated as President. |
1978 | Oversaw the Camp David Accords, a peace agreement between Israel and Egypt. |
1979 | Established formal diplomatic relations with China and faced the Iran Hostage Crisis, where 52 Americans were taken hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. |
1980 | Defeated in his re-election bid by Ronald Reagan amid economic struggles and the ongoing hostage crisis. |
January 20, 1981 | The Iran hostages were released on the day Carter left office. |
1982 | Founded the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia, promoting democracy, human rights, and global health. |
1994 | Helped mediate a nuclear disarmament agreement with North Korea. |
2002 | Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work and commitment to peace. |
2015 | Announced he had cancer but later revealed he was cancer-free after treatment. |
2023 | Entered hospice care at home in Plains, Georgia, after deciding to forgo additional medical treatment. |

Timeline of Jimmy Carter
October 1, 1924
Jimmy Carter was born in the small town of Plains, Georgia, as James Earl Carter Jr. He grew up in a modest farming family, deeply influenced by his father’s work ethic and his mother’s progressive views on race and social justice.
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1941
Carter graduated from Plains High School, showing an early aptitude for academics and leadership, which laid the foundation for his future accomplishments.
1943
He enrolled at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. This decision marked the beginning of his military career and demonstrated his commitment to serving his country.
1946
After graduating from the Naval Academy, Carter married Rosalynn Smith, his lifelong partner and key supporter. He began serving in the Navy as a submariner, specializing in nuclear-powered vessels, a field that demanded exceptional technical expertise.
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1953
Carter left the Navy following the death of his father to take over the family’s peanut farming business in Plains. This transition not only brought him back to his roots but also introduced him to the challenges of rural economics and community leadership.

1962
Carter entered politics and was elected to the Georgia State Senate. His tenure was marked by a commitment to civil rights and efficient government, setting the stage for his rise in state and national politics.
1966
Carter ran for governor of Georgia but lost in the Democratic primary. This defeat deeply impacted him and led to a period of introspection, during which he redefined his approach to leadership and governance.
1970
He successfully ran for governor of Georgia and served from 1971 to 1975. As governor, he prioritized government reform, environmental protection, and racial equality, earning recognition for his progressive policies in the South.
1974
Carter announced his candidacy for president of the United States, positioning himself as an outsider to Washington politics. His campaign emphasized honesty, transparency, and restoring trust in government in the wake of the Watergate scandal.

November 2, 1976
Carter won the presidential election, defeating incumbent Gerald Ford. His victory marked a shift toward a more people-focused administration and was fueled by his promise to address economic and social issues with integrity.
January 20, 1977
Carter was inaugurated as the 39th President of the United States. His presidency began with initiatives focused on energy independence, environmental conservation, and human rights.
1978
Carter played a central role in negotiating the Camp David Accords, a historic peace agreement between Israel and Egypt. This achievement solidified his reputation as a skilled diplomat and peacemaker on the global stage.
1979
His administration established formal diplomatic relations with China, fostering a new era in U.S.-China relations. However, the same year, he faced the Iran Hostage Crisis, a major international and domestic challenge, as 52 Americans were taken hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.
1980
Carter ran for re-election but was defeated by Ronald Reagan. Economic struggles, including high inflation and unemployment, along with the unresolved hostage crisis, contributed to his loss.
January 20, 1981
On the day Carter left office, the Iran hostages were released after 444 days in captivity. While the crisis overshadowed much of his presidency, his efforts to resolve it highlighted his determination and dedication.
1982
Carter founded the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The organization focused on promoting democracy, advancing human rights, and addressing global health issues, such as eradicating diseases and improving access to healthcare in developing nations.
1994
He mediated a nuclear disarmament agreement with North Korea, demonstrating his continued commitment to global peace and diplomacy after leaving office.
2002
Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his decades of work promoting human rights, conflict resolution, and humanitarian causes. This recognition underscored his impact as a global leader in peacemaking.
2015
Carter announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer but later revealed he was cancer-free after undergoing successful treatment. His resilience and optimism during this period inspired many.
2023
Carter entered hospice care at home in Plains, Georgia, after deciding to forgo additional medical treatment. Surrounded by his family, he continued to be celebrated for his lifelong dedication to service and humanity.