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James Earl Carter Jr. was born to James Earl and Lillian Carter in Plains, Georgia, on October 1, 1924. In this photograph, he is one month old and in his mother’s arms.
Credit: Jimmy Carter Library
Jimmy grew up on a farm near the small town of Plains in southwest Georgia.
Credit: Jimmy Carter Library
He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1946 and joined the US Navy's submarine service.
Credit: Jimmy Carter Library
A rare picture of Jimmy Carter from his graduation ceremony from the Naval Academy on June 5, 1946.
Credit: Jimmy Carter Library
After the graduation, Carter married Rosalynn Smith in 1946.
Credit: Jimmy Carter Library
The Carters have three sons, John William (Jack), James Earl III (Chip), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff), and a daughter, Amy Lynn.
Credit: Jimmy Carter Library
In the Navy, Jimmy Carter was a submariner serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets and was chosen for the nuclear submarine program. He rose to the rank of lieutenant.
Credit: Jimmy Carter Library
Carter’s political career began in 1962 when he was elected a state senator, then governor of Georgia eight years later.
Credit: Jimmy Carter Library
This poster is from Jimmy Carter’s Georgia State Senate campaign. He was elected to the Georgia State Senate twice, in 1962 and 1964.
Credit: Jimmy Carter Library
Carter was elected president in 1976.
Credit: Jimmy Carter Library
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter was the first presidential couple to leave the motorcade to walk the parade route, establishing a tradition that continues to this day. Here is the picture of Carter making history during the 1977 Inaugural Parade by walking down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.
Credit: Jimmy Carter Library
In leaving the White House at age 56, Carter resolved to do more than write books and build a presidential library.
Credit: Jimmy Carter Library
In 1984, the Carters got involved in a well-publicised venture, Habitat for Humanity.
Credit: Jimmy Carter Library
As of 2019, the former president had helped renovate nearly 4,400 homes in 14 countries.
Credit: Jimmy Carter Library
Former US President Jimmy Carter attends a Habitat for Humanity home building site in the Ivy City neighborhood of Washington.
Credit: Reuters
Following his presidency, Carter earned recognition as "the best former president in history" by many, dedicating his post-presidential years to establishing a library and a center focused on conflict resolution, advancing democratic elections globally, and fighting disease.
Credit: Jimmy Carter Library
For these efforts, Carter became the third American President to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Credit: Jimmy Carter Library