Former President Jimmy Carter passed away at 100 years old, and his funeral service is being held on Thursday, January 9.
The day of his funeral service has been declared by President Joe Biden as a national day of mourning. The event was held at the National Cathedral in Washington DC, and was attended by all five living presidents, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama, with President Biden giving a eulogy. Carter’s grandson and former President Gerald Ford’s son also gave eulogies. The 39th president is remembered as a citizen of the world, whose ambition for bettering the world was an inspiration.
Former President Jimmy Carter’s casket is carried into the U.S. Capitol for a military tribute and to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda.
Watch live as congressional leaders and Vice President Kamala Harris deliver eulogies for Carter in the Capitol Rotunda:… pic.twitter.com/L7omIwL8gc
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 7, 2025
The 39th president
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, is widely celebrated for his humanitarian efforts and lifelong commitment to peace and human rights. When he was president, he pardoned all Vietnam War draft evaders. He was fiercely opposed to racial segregation and was a major supporter of the civil rights movement.
After serving as president from 1977 to 1981, Carter became renowned for his work through the Carter Center, an organization he co-founded in 1982 to promote democracy, resolve conflicts, and combat disease worldwide.
Among his notable achievements is the near-eradication of Guinea worm disease, a testament to his dedication to global health. During his presidency, Carter played a leading role in brokering the Camp David Accords, a historic peace agreement between Egypt and Israel. He is also recognized for his advocacy for affordable housing through his decades-long involvement with Habitat for Humanity.
Carter’s tireless pursuit of justice and humanitarian causes earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, cementing his legacy as a statesman committed to utilizing his platform to make the world a better place.
Jimmy Carter’s Funeral
“Character, I believe, is destiny. Destiny in our lives, and, quite frankly, destiny in the life of the nation. It’s an accumulation of a million things built on character that leads to a good life in a decent country,” said President Biden in his eulogy speech. “Jimmy Carter’s friendship taught me, and through his life, taught me, that strength of character is more than title or the power we hold. It’s the strength to understand that everyone should be treated with dignity, and respect, that everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves an even shot.”
The 39th president’s character and dedication to doing right by everyone is what has shined through in the funeral proceedings. Steven Ford, Gerald Ford’s son, was candid in his eulogy, citing a letter about his dad’s friendly rivalry with Carter.
“By fate of a brief season, Jimmy Carter and I were rivals, but for the many wonderful years that followed, friendship bonded us as no two presidents since John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. It is said that President Adams’s last words were ‘Thomas Jefferson still survives,’” said Gerald Ford in a letter that his son read.
Carter’s grandson also delivered a heartfelt eulogy, talking about how his grandfather defeated Guinea worm disease and how he was always willing to lend a helping hand.
“My grandfather spent the entire time I’ve known him helping those in need. He built houses for people that needed homes. He eliminated diseases in forgotten places. He waged peace anywhere in the world, wherever he saw a chance,” said Carter.
Later in his eulogy speech, Carter continued, “We’ve all heard a lot lately about guinea worm disease. It’s an ancient and debilitating disease of poverty, and that disease will have existed from the dawn of humanity until Jimmy Carter.”
More events in honor of President Carter
After the initial funeral services take place, Carter’s remains, his family, and President Biden will head to Joint Base Andrews, where they will board Special Air Mission 39 (the plane that serves as Air Force One when the sitting president is on board), to Lawson Army Airfield at Fort Moore, Georgia. A private funeral service will be held at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains for the family and close friends.
Following the private funeral, a motorcade will take the attendees of the private funeral to the Carter Residence. After they arrive, a U.S. Navy missing man formation will do a flyover in honor of Carter’s naval service and time as commander in chief. The flyover will be followed by a private graveside ceremony and the burial of the legendary US president.