Challenges in the Life of Jimmy Carter in a Detailed Timeline
Life is full of challenges, and Jimmy Carter faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.
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.
1964: Carter campaign uses similar rhetoric as Johnson's 1964 campaign
Carter's reelection campaign used similar rhetoric as Lyndon Johnson's 1964 presidential campaign, portraying Reagan as a warmonger who could not be trusted with the nuclear arsenal.
1973: Geneva conference
In 1973, the Geneva conference was held which Carter hoped to reconvene in 1977.
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.
September 21, 1977: Bert Lance Resigns Amid Banking Allegations
On September 21, 1977, Bert Lance, the Carter administration's Office of Management and Budget director, resigned amid allegations of improper banking activities before his tenure.
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.
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".
March 1978: Approval ratings fall due to economy
In March 1978, Jimmy Carter's presidential approval rating fell to 39%, primarily attributed to the declining economy.
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 27, 1978: Communists Seize Power in Afghanistan
On April 27, 1978, Communists under Nur Muhammad Taraki seized power in Afghanistan.
1978: Inflation Rate
In 1978, Federal Reserve Board chairman G. William Miller's relatively loose monetary policy had already contributed to somewhat higher inflation, rising from 5.8% in 1976 to 7.7%.
1978: Compromise Healthcare Law Meeting
In 1978, Jimmy Carter met with Ted Kennedy over a compromise healthcare law that proved unsuccessful.
1978: Military aid to Indonesia peaks
In 1978, during Carter's administration, military assistance to Indonesia peaked. This was inconsistent with Carter's stated policy regarding arms sales in conflict regions.
January 1979: Shah Leaves Iran
In January 1979, the Shah, who was dying of cancer, left Iran for the last time, an event that intensified anti-American sentiment in Iran.
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.
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 1979: Approval ratings dip during energy crisis
During the 1979 energy crisis, Jimmy Carter's approval ratings dipped, reaching as low as 28% in July 1979.
July 1979: CIA Begins Collaboration with Pakistani ISI
In July 1979, the CIA began collaborating with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), providing non-lethal assistance to the Afghan mujahideen.
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 22, 1979: Shah admitted to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
On October 22, 1979, Carter allowed the Shah, who was dying of cancer, to be admitted to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
November 4, 1979: U.S. Embassy in Tehran Taken Over
On November 4, 1979, Iranian students took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, leading to the hostage crisis.
December 24, 1979: Soviet Union Invades Afghanistan
On December 24, 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, executed Hafizullah Amin, and installed Babrak Karmal as president.
December 28, 1979: Carter Approves Lethal Aid to Afghan Opposition
On December 28, 1979, Jimmy Carter signed a presidential finding allowing the CIA to transfer lethal military equipment to the Afghan opponents of the Soviet intervention.
1979: Energy Crisis
1979 was marked by an energy crisis during Jimmy Carter's presidency.
1979: Approval ratings dip during energy crisis
In 1979, Carter's approval rating dipped due to the energy crisis.
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: Soviets Intervene in Second Yemenite War
In 1979, the Soviets intervened in the Second Yemenite War. This, along with tensions from the Iranian Revolution, contributed to a more assertive stance by Jimmy Carter towards the Soviet Union.
1979: Iran Hostage Crisis and Oil Crisis
In 1979, the later years of Jimmy Carter's presidency were marked by several foreign policy crises, including the fallout of the Iranian revolution including the Iran hostage crisis and 1979 oil crisis.
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.
January 23, 1980: Carter Announces Sanctions on Soviet Union
On January 23, 1980, Jimmy Carter announced sanctions on the Soviet Union, promised renewed aid to Pakistan, and committed the U.S. to the Persian Gulf's defense in a televised speech.
April 7, 1980: Carter Imposes Economic Sanctions Against Iran
On April 7, 1980, Jimmy Carter issued Executive Order 12205, imposing economic sanctions against Iran and announcing further measures to secure the safe release of the American hostages.
April 24, 1980: Carter Orders Operation Eagle Claw
On April 24, 1980, Jimmy Carter ordered Operation Eagle Claw to attempt to free the American hostages in Iran. The mission failed, resulting in casualties and the resignation of Secretary of State Cyrus Vance.
May 1980: Carter Supports South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan
In May 1980, Jimmy Carter supported South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan during the suppression of the Gwangju Uprising.
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.
June 1980: Approval rating slumps amid Iran hostage crisis
Amid criticism for his handling of the Iran hostage crisis, Jimmy Carter's approval rating slumped to 33% in June 1980, coinciding with Reagan surpassing Carter in pre-election polling.
July 2, 1980: Reactivation of the Selective Service System
On July 2, 1980, Jimmy Carter alienated many liberal college students by reactivating the Selective Service System, reinstating registration for the military draft.
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: 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: CIA memo concludes Iranian hardliners sought to exploit hostage crisis
In 1980, a declassified CIA memo concluded that Iranian hardliners, especially Ayatollah Khomeini, were determined to exploit the hostage issue to cause President Carter's defeat in the November elections.
1980: Inflation Rate
In 1980, inflation doubled to double-digit levels, averaging 11.3% in 1979 and 13.5%.
1980: Carter initiates program to arm the mujahideen
In early 1980, Carter initiated a program to arm the mujahideen through Pakistan's ISI and secured a pledge from Saudi Arabia to match U.S. funding for this purpose.
January 20, 1981: Hostages Released After Reagan Inauguration
On January 20, 1981, the 52 American hostages held in Iran were freed immediately after Ronald Reagan succeeded Carter as president.
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.
1981: Views on Carter's Presidency
In 1981, when Jimmy Carter left office, scholars and many Democrats viewed his presidency as a failure, citing a lack of a well-developed political philosophy and a feeling of uncertainty.
1982: Chicago Tribune Survey Ranking
In a 1982 Chicago Tribune survey, 49 historians and scholars ranked Jimmy Carter as the tenth worst U.S. president.
2003: Championed Plan to Hold Elections in Venezuela
In 2003, Jimmy Carter championed a plan to hold elections in Venezuela amid protests, but ultimately no elections were held.
2006: Andrew Roberts Ranking
In 2006, conservative British historian Andrew Roberts ranked Jimmy Carter as the worst U.S. president.
August 3, 2015: Elective Liver Surgery
On August 3, 2015, Jimmy Carter underwent elective surgery to remove a small mass on his liver, with an initial prognosis of a full recovery.
May 13, 2019: Hip Fracture
On May 13, 2019, Jimmy Carter broke his hip in a fall at his Plains home and underwent surgery the same day.
November 11, 2019: Hospitalization for Brain Pressure
On November 11, 2019, Jimmy Carter was hospitalized at Emory University Hospital for a procedure to relieve pressure on his brain caused by bleeding related to his falls.
December 2, 2019: Hospitalization for Urinary Tract Infection
On December 2, 2019, Jimmy Carter was readmitted to the hospital for a urinary tract infection.
February 18, 2023: Entering Hospice Care
On February 18, 2023, the Carter Center announced that Jimmy Carter had decided to spend his remaining time at home in Plains with his family, receiving hospice care for an unspecified illness.
