Jimmy Carter: A Former President of the United States

Jimmy Carter is a former president of the United States who served from 1977 to 1981. He is a Democrat and was elected in 1976. During his time in office, he worked to promote human rights, energy conservation, and peace in the Middle East. After leaving office, he has continued to work on these issues through The Carter Center, which he founded in 1982.

Personal Life

Jimmy Carter was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia. He is the son of James Earl Carter, Sr. and Bessie Lillian Gordy Carter. He has two sisters, Gloria and Ruth.

Carter married Rosalynn Smith in 1946. They have four children: John William "Jack" Carter III, James Earl "Chip" Carter III, Donnel Jeffrey Carter, and Amy Lynn Carter.

Education

Carter graduated from Georgia Southwestern College in 1946 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture. He then attended the United States Naval Academy, where he graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.

Military Career

After graduating from the Naval Academy, Carter served as a submarine officer in the United States Navy. He served for seven years, including two years on the USS Seawolf, a nuclear-powered submarine. He retired from the Navy in 1953.

Political Career

Carter first entered politics in 1962 when he was elected to the Georgia State Senate. He served in the Senate for six years, including two years as the Senate's president pro tempore. In 1970, he was elected governor of Georgia, a position he held for four years.

In 1976, Carter ran for president of the United States. He won the Democratic nomination and defeated incumbent Republican president Gerald Ford in the general election. Carter was inaugurated as the 39th president of the United States on January 20, 1977.

During his presidency, Carter focused on human rights, energy conservation, and peace in the Middle East. He signed the Camp David Accords, which helped to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict. He also helped to create the Department of Energy and the National Energy Act, which aimed to reduce the United States' dependence on foreign oil. Carter's presidency was also marked by the Iran hostage crisis, which lasted for 444 days and ended with the release of the American hostages in 1981.

Carter was defeated by Republican Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential election. He returned to Plains, Georgia, where he established The Carter Center, which works to promote peace, human rights, and democracy around the world.

Legacy

Jimmy Carter is considered one of the most successful post-presidents in American history. He has been praised for his work on human rights, energy conservation, and peace in the Middle East. He has also been a vocal advocate for social justice and economic equality.

Carter has received numerous awards for his work, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He is also the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.