Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jimmy Carter
Discover the career path of Jimmy Carter, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. President (1977-1981), was a Democratic politician and humanitarian. Before his presidency, he served as the 76th Governor of Georgia (1971-1975) and in the Georgia State Senate (1963-1967). Notably, Carter was the longest-lived U.S. president, reaching the age of 100.
1932: First Elected Incumbent Loss Since Hoover
Jimmy Carter was the first elected incumbent president since Herbert Hoover in 1932 to lose a reelection bid.
1945: Ineligible for Second Term
In 1945, Jimmy Carter was ineligible for a second consecutive term under the 1945 Georgia Constitution.
1946: Moved for Military Deployments
From 1946 to 1953, the Carters lived in Virginia, Hawaii, Connecticut, New York, and California, during his deployments in the Atlantic and Pacific fleets.
1946: Graduated from U.S. Naval Academy
In 1946, Carter graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and joined the submarine service.
1948: Officer training for submarine duty
In 1948, Jimmy Carter began officer training for submarine duty and served aboard USS Pomfret.
1949: Promotion to Lieutenant
In 1949, Carter was promoted to lieutenant junior grade.
1951: Assigned to USS K-1
In 1951, Carter was assigned to the diesel/electric USS K-1 (SSK-1), qualified for command, and served in several positions, including executive officer.
December 12, 1952: Chalk River Reactor Accident
On December 12, 1952, an accident at Atomic Energy of Canada's Chalk River Laboratories caused a partial meltdown. Carter led a U.S. maintenance crew to assist in the shutdown of the reactor.
1952: Naval Nuclear Program
In 1952, Carter began an association with the Navy's fledgling nuclear submarine program, led by then-Captain Hyman G. Rickover.
March 1953: Nuclear Power Plant Operation Course
In March 1953, Carter began a six-month nuclear power plant operation course at Union College in Schenectady.
October 9, 1953: Resigned from Active Duty
On October 9, 1953, Carter left active duty in the Navy to take over the family peanut business after his father's death.
1953: Moved for Military Deployments
From 1946 to 1953, the Carters lived in Virginia, Hawaii, Connecticut, New York, and California, during his deployments in the Atlantic and Pacific fleets.
1960: Presidential Debates
In 1960, the first United States presidential debates since 1960 were held between Carter and Ford.
1961: End of Naval Reserve Service
In 1961, Carter left the inactive Navy Reserve with the rank of lieutenant.
1962: State Senate Campaign
In 1962, Carter announced his campaign for an open Georgia State Senate seat, with Rosalynn instrumental in his campaign.
1964: Planned Challenge to Bo Callaway
In 1964, After Bo Callaway was elected to the United States House of Representatives, Carter immediately began planning to challenge him.
1966: Gubernatorial Election
In 1966, Carter ran in the Georgia gubernatorial election against Ellis Arnall and Lester Maddox, losing the primary but gaining enough votes to force a runoff. This period was a spiritual turning point for Carter; he declared himself a born again Christian.
1970: Gubernatorial Election Campaign
In 1970, during the gubernatorial election, Carter's campaign leaned more conservative. He sought the black vote and the votes of those who had supported prominent Alabama segregationist George Wallace.
January 12, 1971: Sworn in as Governor of Georgia
On January 12, 1971, Carter was sworn in as the 76th governor of Georgia. He declared that "the time for racial discrimination is over".
July 8, 1971: Intention to Establish Georgia Human Rights Council
On July 8, 1971, during an appearance in Columbus, Georgia, Jimmy Carter stated his intention to establish a Georgia Human Rights Council.
July 1971: Ordered Department Heads to Reduce Spending
In July 1971, Carter announced he had ordered department heads to reduce spending to prevent a $57 million deficit by the end of the 1972 fiscal year.
1971: Anti-Busing Resolution
In 1971, Jimmy Carter co-sponsored an anti-busing resolution with Wallace at the National Governors Conference.
January 1972: Reorganization Plan
In January 1972, Carter introduced a reorganization plan, consolidating state agencies, although the cost savings are debated.
January 1972: Requested Funding for Early Childhood Development
In January 1972, Jimmy Carter requested that the state legislature fund an early childhood development program along with prison reform programs.
March 1972: Possible Special Session
In March 1972, Carter said he might call a special session of the general assembly if the Justice Department struck down any reapportionment plans by either the House or Senate.
1972: Democratic National Convention Delegate
In 1972, Jimmy Carter was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, where George McGovern was the likely nominee. He met with Wallace to discuss preventing the Democrats from losing in a landslide.
1972: Revised Death Penalty Statute
In 1972, after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Georgia's death penalty statute in Furman v. Georgia, Jimmy Carter signed a revised statute that reintroduced the practice.
January 31, 1973: Joint Appearance on Busing
On January 31, 1973, Jimmy Carter made a televised joint appearance with Florida Governor Reubin Askew to advocate for a constitutional amendment banning busing to expedite school integration.
April 1973: Named to the Trilateral Commission
In April 1973, with David Rockefeller's endorsement, Jimmy Carter was named to the Trilateral Commission.
May 1973: Warned Against Politicizing Watergate
In May 1973, Jimmy Carter warned his party against politicizing the Watergate scandal, attributing it to president Richard Nixon's isolation and secretive decision-making.
1973: Geneva conference
In 1973, the Geneva conference was held which Carter hoped to reconvene in 1977.
December 12, 1974: Presidential Campaign Announcement
On December 12, 1974, Jimmy Carter formally announced his presidential campaign at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., emphasizing domestic inequality, optimism, and change.
1974: Ford's Pardon of Nixon
In 1974, Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon which impacted the following 1976 election. Voters still held this against Ford when Carter was viewed as sincere, honest, and well-meaning.
March 1976: Lead in Presidential Nomination
By mid-March 1976, Jimmy Carter was far ahead of the active contenders for the presidential nomination, and led incumbent Republican president Gerald Ford by a few percentage points.
April 1976: Remarks on Ethnic Purity
During an interview in April 1976, Jimmy Carter said, "I have nothing against a community that is... trying to maintain the ethnic purity of their neighborhoods," intending it as supportive of open housing laws, but specifying opposition to government efforts to "inject black families into a white neighborhood just to create some sort of integration".
July 15, 1976: Mondale Chosen as Running Mate
On July 15, 1976, Jimmy Carter chose U.S. senator Walter Mondale as his running mate.
November 1976: Playboy Interview
In the November 1976 issue of Playboy, Jimmy Carter discussed his religion's view of pride, saying, "I've looked on a lot of women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times." This led to media controversy.
November 22, 1976: First Visit to Washington D.C. After Election
On November 22, 1976, Jimmy Carter visited Washington, D.C., meeting with James Lynn and Donald Rumsfeld, and with President Ford at the White House, after being elected president.
1976: Strip Mining Promise
During his 1976 campaign, Jimmy Carter promised to sign into law any bills Congress passed to regulate strip mining.
1976: Popularizing "Born Again"
During his 1976 presidential campaign, Jimmy Carter is credited with popularizing the term "born again" into the American lexicon, appealing to voters after the Nixon Administration scandals.
1976: Ran for president
In 1976, Carter ran for president, secured the Democratic nomination as a dark horse, and narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Gerald Ford in the general election.
1976: Presidential Campaign
In 1976, Jimmy Carter started putting together a presidential campaign.
1976: Voter Perceptions
In exit polls from the 1976 presidential election, many voters still held Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon against him, while Jimmy Carter was viewed as sincere, honest, and well-meaning.
January 20, 1977: Inauguration as President
On January 20, 1977, Jimmy Carter was inaugurated as the 39th president of the United States.
February 8, 1977: Carter Urges Soviet Union to Align on Nuclear Testing
On February 8, 1977, Jimmy Carter stated that he had urged the Soviet Union to align with the U.S. in forming a comprehensive test ban to stop all nuclear testing.
February 23, 1977: Carter Addresses Conflict with Congress
On February 23, 1977, during a press conference, Jimmy Carter stated that conflict with Congress was "inevitable" but also noted a "growing sense of cooperation" and past meetings with members from both parties. This came amidst Carter's reputation for not conforming to Washington's rules and facing frustration in passing legislation.
March 9, 1977: Carter Reaffirms Troop Withdrawal Interest
On March 9, 1977, President Carter reaffirmed his interest in a gradual withdrawal of American troops from South Korea.
April 18, 1977: Energy Crisis Speech
On April 18, 1977, Jimmy Carter delivered a televised speech declaring that the energy crisis was the "moral equivalent of war".
May 26, 1977: Carter States South Korea Can Defend Itself
On May 26, 1977, during a news conference, Jimmy Carter expressed his belief that South Korea could defend itself with a reduced number of American troops in case of conflict.
June 23, 1977: Carter Praises Working Relationship with Congress
On June 23, 1977, in an address to a fundraising dinner for the Democratic National Committee, Jimmy Carter spoke of the development of a "good working relationship with the Congress," contrasting it with "government by partisanship" of the previous eight years.
August 4, 1977: Department of Energy Organization Act
On August 4, 1977, Jimmy Carter signed the Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977, forming the Department of Energy.
October 4, 1977: Carter Address to African Officials at the UN
On October 4, 1977, Jimmy Carter addressed African officials at the United Nations. Carter stated the U.S.'s interest to "see a strong, vigorous, free, and prosperous Africa with as much of the control of government as possible in the hands of the residents of your countries."
November 15, 1977: Carter Pledges Positive Relations with Iran
On November 15, 1977, Jimmy Carter pledged that his administration would continue positive relations between the U.S. and Iran, characterizing its contemporary status as "strong, stable, and progressive."
1977: Carter Appoints Kahn to CAB
In 1977, Jimmy Carter appointed Alfred E. Kahn to lead the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). This was part of a push for deregulation of the airline industry, supported by a broad coalition.
1977: Failed Attempt at Arab-Israeli Settlement
In 1977, Jimmy Carter attempted to mediate the Arab-Israeli conflict through reconvening the 1973 Geneva conference, but this effort to seek a comprehensive settlement was ultimately unsuccessful.
1977: Carter's Healthcare Cost Proposal
In 1977, Jimmy Carter proposed a mandatory health care cost proposal, that was passed in the Senate, but later defeated in the House.
1977: Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
In 1977, Jimmy Carter signed the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, which regulated strip mining.
1977: Public Works Employment Act
In 1977, due to economic stimulus legislation, such as the Public Works Employment Act of 1977, proposed by Jimmy Carter and passed by Congress, real household median income had grown by 5.2%, with a projection of 6.4% for the next quarter.
1977: Gay and Lesbian Rights Activists Invited to the White House
In 1977, the Carter administration became the first U.S. presidential administration to invite gay and lesbian rights activists to the White House. The purpose was to discuss federal policy with regard to ending employment discrimination in the federal government on the basis of sexual orientation and related issues.
December 31, 1977: Carter Calls Iran an "Island of Stability"
On December 31, 1977, Jimmy Carter called Iran, under the Shah, an "island of stability," praising the Shah's leadership and their personal friendship.
January 1, 1978: Carter Visits Iran, Delivers "Island of Stability" Speech
From December 31, 1977, to January 1, 1978, Jimmy Carter visited Iran, where he gave his "Island of Stability" speech less than a year before the overthrow of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
January 12, 1978: Energy Reform Proposal Discussions
On January 12, 1978, Jimmy Carter said the continued discussions about his energy reform proposal had been "long and divisive and arduous".
February 28, 1978: Carter Argues for Cabinet-Level Education Department
On February 28, 1978, Jimmy Carter argued from the White House that education was too important to be scattered among various government departments, advocating for a cabinet-level education department.
April 3, 1978: Carter Visits Nigeria
On April 3, 1978, Jimmy Carter concluded his visit to Nigeria to improve relations. During this visit, the first by a U.S. president, he reiterated the U.S.'s interest in convening a peace conference on Rhodesia involving all parties.
April 11, 1978: Congressional Difficulties
In an April 11, 1978, news conference, Jimmy Carter said his biggest surprise "in the nature of a disappointment" since becoming president was the difficulty Congress had in passing legislation, citing the energy reform bill in particular.
April 21, 1978: Carter Announces Reduction in American Troops in South Korea
On April 21, 1978, Jimmy Carter announced a reduction in American troops in South Korea, citing a lack of action by Congress regarding a compensatory aid package for the South Korean government.
July 1978: Unemployment Rate
By July 1978, under Jimmy Carter, the unemployment rate declined from 8.1% when he took office to 5.7%.
September 1978: Camp David Accords Negotiations
In September 1978, Jimmy Carter invited Egyptian president Anwar Sadat and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin to Camp David for negotiations aimed at creating a definitive peace. These negotiations eventually led to the Camp David Accords, which ended the war between Israel and Egypt.
October 15, 1978: Energy Legislation Approval
The Carter energy legislation was approved by Congress after much deliberation and modification on October 15, 1978. The measure deregulated the sale of natural gas, dropped a longstanding pricing disparity between intra- and interstate gas, and created tax credits to encourage energy conservation and the use of non-fossil fuels.
October 24, 1978: Carter Signs Airline Deregulation Act
On October 24, 1978, Jimmy Carter signed the Airline Deregulation Act into law. This act removed government control over fares, routes, and market entry in commercial aviation, phasing out the Civil Aeronautics Board's regulatory powers and allowing market forces to determine routes and fares.
December 1978: Carter Announces Recognition of the People's Republic of China
In December 1978, Jimmy Carter announced the United States' intention to formally recognize and establish full diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC) starting on January 1, 1979, while severing ties with Taiwan.
December 1978: Alaska National Monument Designation
In December 1978, Jimmy Carter used the 1906 Antiquities Act and his executive order power to designate 56,000,000 acres of land in Alaska as a national monument.
1978: Love Canal Federal Emergency
In 1978, Jimmy Carter declared a federal emergency in the Love Canal neighborhood of Niagara Falls, New York, due to toxic waste, leading to the evacuation of families and the creation of the Superfund law.
1978: Compromise Healthcare Law Meeting
In 1978, Jimmy Carter met with Ted Kennedy over a compromise healthcare law that proved unsuccessful.
1978: Deregulation of Home Brewing
In 1978, Jimmy Carter signed a bill into law that deregulated the American beer industry by legalizing the sale of malt, hops, and yeast to American home brewers for the first time since 1920. This deregulation spurred the growth of the craft microbrew culture.
1978: Asian American Heritage Week
In 1978, Jimmy Carter signed into law a bill creating a celebration in May called Asian American Heritage Week.
February 8, 1979: Carter Administration releases Education Department plan
On February 8, 1979, the Carter administration released an outline of its plan to establish an education department and asserted enough support for the enactment to occur by June.
March 1, 1979: Gasoline Rationing Plan
On March 1, 1979, Jimmy Carter submitted a standby gasoline rationing plan per the request of Congress.
May 10, 1979: House Rejects Carter's Gas Rationing Plan
On May 10, 1979, the House voted against giving Jimmy Carter authority to produce a standby gas rationing plan. Carter expressed shock and embarrassment, stating that most House members were unwilling to take responsibility for dealing with a potential threat and prioritizing local interests.
May 16, 1979: Senate Votes to Lift Economic Sanctions Against Rhodesia
On May 16, 1979, the Senate voted in favor of lifting economic sanctions against Rhodesia. The decision was viewed by some Rhodesians and South Africans as a potentially fatal blow to joint diplomacy efforts and any compromise between the Salisbury leaders and guerrillas.
June 18, 1979: Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty II Signed
On June 18, 1979, the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty II (SALT II) was signed by Jimmy Carter and Leonid Brezhnev.
July 1, 1979: Carter Meets with South Korean President Park Chung Hee
From June 30 to July 1, 1979, Jimmy Carter met with South Korean President Park Chung Hee to discuss relations between the U.S. and South Korea, and Carter's policy of worldwide tension reduction.
July 15, 1979: Carter's "crisis of confidence" address
On July 15, 1979, Jimmy Carter delivered a nationally televised address where he identified a "crisis of confidence" among the American people, later dubbed the "malaise speech." This speech received mixed reactions and was viewed by some as not emphasizing Carter's own efforts to address the energy crisis.
July 25, 1979: Carter calls on believers to speak with Congress
On July 25, 1979, amid opposition to his energy proposals, Jimmy Carter called on believers in the future of the U.S. and his program to speak with Congress, which had the responsibility to impose his proposals. The New York Times noted a crisis of confidence between Congress and the President.
October 1979: Curran Ends Investigation of Carter
In October 1979, special counsel Paul J. Curran announced that no evidence had been found to support allegations that funds loaned from the National Bank of Georgia had been diverted to Jimmy Carter's 1976 presidential campaign, ending the investigation.
December 1979: Carter Announces Reelection Campaign
In December 1979, Jimmy Carter announced his reelection campaign, a month after Ted Kennedy announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination.
1979: Carter's Private Health Insurance Coverage Proposal
In 1979, Jimmy Carter proposed providing private health insurance coverage, marking another attempt at healthcare reform during his presidency.
1979: Chrysler Cooperation Bailout
In 1979, as Chrysler Cooperation faced near-certain bankruptcy, Jimmy Carter proposed salary and bonus freezes, and Congress began working on a bailout plan. Carter assembled a team to secure a $1.5 billion loan guarantee for the company.
1979: Chrysler Corporation Loan Guarantee Act
In December 1979, Congress passed the Chrysler Corporation Loan Guarantee Act. Jimmy Carter signed the bill into law in January, providing $3.5 billion in aid to bail out Chrysler, saving thousands of jobs. The bailout was successful at the time.
January 1980: Carter Revokes Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty
In January 1980, Jimmy Carter unilaterally revoked the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty with the Republic of China. This action led to legal challenges, but the Supreme Court upheld Carter's decision.
May 1980: FTC Closed by Budget Dispute
In May 1980, the Federal Trade Commission was "apparently the first agency ever closed by a budget dispute" during Carter's presidency, but Congress took action and the agency opened the next day.
September 1980: Kim Dae-jung's Sentence Commuted
In September 1980, South Korean pro-democracy activist Kim Dae-jung was sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted after intervention by Presidents Carter and Reagan.
November 1, 1980: Carter Highlights Head Start Expansion
On November 1, 1980, Jimmy Carter stated that his administration had extended Head Start to migrant children, noting the addition of 43,000 children and families to the program and the doubling of nondefense dollars spent on education.
1980: Sought reelection but lost to Ronald Reagan
In 1980, Carter sought reelection, defeating a primary challenge by Senator Ted Kennedy, but lost the election to Republican nominee Ronald Reagan.
1980: Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act
In 1980, Congress codified Carter's executive order into law with the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980, which doubled the amount of public land set aside for national parks and wildlife refuges.
1980: Loss to Ronald Reagan
In 1980, Jimmy Carter lost the election to Ronald Reagan, a loss that was contributed to by the Iran hostage crisis.
1980: Mental Health Systems Act Signed into Law
In 1980, Jimmy Carter signed into law the Mental Health Systems Act (MHSA). It allocated block grants to states to bolster community health services and provided funding to create community-based health services, considered landmark legislation in mental health care.
1980: Media Discovery and Promotion
In 1980, Laurence Shoup noted that the national news media discovered and promoted Jimmy Carter.
1980: Carter Administration and Samuel Doe
In 1980, the Carter Administration pursued an alliance with Liberia's Samuel Doe, who had come to power in a coup.
1980: Carter Emphasizes Significance of US-Soviet Relations
In his 1980 State of the Union Address, Jimmy Carter emphasized the critical significance of relations between the United States and the Soviet Union in determining global peace or conflict.
1980: 1980 Election
In the 1980 election, Ronald Reagan projected self-confidence, contrasting with Jimmy Carter's temperament. Reagan used economic issues, the Iran hostage crisis, and Washington cooperation to portray Carter as weak and ineffectual.
January 1981: Carter's position on the Middle East conflict
By the time Jimmy Carter left office in January 1981, his policies toward the Middle East had broken the Arab alliance, sidelined the Palestinians, built an alliance with Egypt, weakened the Soviet Union and secured Israel.
1981: Carter family peanut business debt
In 1981, the Carter family's peanut business accumulated a $1 million debt, prompting Carter to begin writing books to alleviate the financial strain.
1982: Carter Center Founding
In 1982, Jimmy Carter founded the Carter Center, a non-governmental and nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing human rights and alleviating human suffering.
1994: Publication of Poetry Book
In 1994, Jimmy Carter published a book of poetry titled "Always a Reckoning and Other Poems," illustrated by his granddaughter Sarah Chuldenko.
2002: Nobel Peace Prize
In 2002, Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work promoting human rights through the Carter Center.
2006: Publication of "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid"
In 2006, Jimmy Carter's book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" was published, generating controversy for characterizing Israel's policies in the occupied territories as apartheid.
July 2007: Participation in The Elders Announced
In July 2007, Jimmy Carter joined Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa, to announce his participation in The Elders, a group focused on peace and human rights.
2007: Founding of the New Baptist Covenant
In 2007, Jimmy Carter established the New Baptist Covenant organization, focusing on social justice initiatives.
2007: Apology for Book Wording
In 2007, during a speech at Brandeis University, Jimmy Carter apologized for wording in his book that suggested Palestinian suicide attacks were justified, calling it "improper and stupid."
2010: Publication of "We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land"
In his 2010 book, "We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land", Jimmy Carter identified Israel's unwillingness to withdraw from occupied Palestinian territories and settlement expansion as the primary obstacle to peace.
2013: Habitat for Humanity Project
In 2013, Jimmy Carter, along with Rosalynn, their son Chip, and daughter-in-law Becky, traveled to Queens Village in New York City to participate in five housing construction projects with Habitat for Humanity.
July 2019: Carter's Book Publications
As of July 2019, Jimmy Carter had published over 30 books, ranging from children's literature to reflections on his presidency, averaging nearly one book per year since leaving the White House.
August 2019: Honorary Chair of the World Justice Project
As of August 2019, Jimmy Carter held the position of Honorary Chair of the World Justice Project. He was also awarded tenure for 37 years of service at Emory University and continued teaching Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church.
November 2022: Filing Opinion in Support of Lawsuit Against Land Swap in Alaska
In November 2022, Jimmy Carter filed an opinion in support of a lawsuit by environmental groups against the Trump administration's proposed land swap in Alaska, citing the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.
2024: Progress in Eradicating Guinea Worm Disease
As of 2024, specifically the first seven months, the Carter Center reported only four cases of dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease), a significant decrease from 3.5 million cases in the mid-1980s, highlighting the impact of their efforts with the World Health Organization.
