Former US President Jimmy Carter celebrated his 100th birthday on Tuesday, becoming the first former president in American history to reach this milestone, NBC News reports.
The proud Democrat, who served one term in the White House from 1977 to 1981, marked the occasion at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he has been receiving hospice care for the past 19 months.
Despite his declining health in recent months, Carter has expressed a desire to live until October 15th, when early voting begins in Georgia, so he can cast his ballot in the 2024 presidential election. “I’m only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris,” his grandson, Jason Carter, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Carter’s life has been marked by both public service and a dedication to human rights. He brokered the historic Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, made human rights a central pillar of American foreign policy, and took a firm stance against the Soviet Union. Following his presidency, he dedicated himself to building homes through Habitat for Humanity and establishing the Carter Center, a non-profit organization focused on promoting democracy and resolving conflicts worldwide. This work earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Carter’s 100th birthday was celebrated with a star-studded concert at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, featuring performances by Georgia’s own B-52’s and covers of The Allman Brothers’ music. While the former president was unable to attend due to his health, the concert was intended as a tribute to his life and legacy.
The Carter Center has become a global force for good, and Carter’s commitment to democracy has continued to inspire generations. In a 2021 opinion piece for The New York Times, he condemned the attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, stating that “promoters of the lie that the election was stolen have taken over one political party and stoked distrust in our electoral systems.”
