Timeline

October 1, 1924	James Earl Carter Jr. is born in Plains, Georgia.
1930	Jimmy Carter enters first grade at Plains Elementary School.
1941	Jimmy Carter graduates from high school; begins classes at Georgia Southwestern College in Americus.
1942	Jimmy Carter transfers to Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.
1943	Jimmy Carter enters the US Naval Academy in Annapolis.
1946	Jimmy Carter receives a naval commission, marries Rosalynn Smith, and moves to Norfolk, Virginia.
1946 – 1952	Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter move several times to different navy bases; three sons are born: Jack in 1947, Chip in 1950, and Jeff in 1952.
1953	James Earl Carter Sr. dies of cancer; Jimmy Carter moves his family back to Plains where he takes over his father’s business and becomes involved with the church and the community.
1962 – 66	Jimmy Carter is elected to Georgia State Senate; serves two terms.
1966	Carter runs for Georgia governor; loses election.
1967	Daughter Amy Carter is born.
1967 – 1968	Jimmy Carter spends a few weeks doing mission work for Baptist churches in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
1971	Jimmy Carter is elected governor of Georgia.
1974	Carter announces his plan to run for president and begins to campaign.
1975	Carter publishes his first book, Why Not the Best?
1976	Jimmy Carter wins the presidential election.
January 20, 1977	Carter is inaugurated the 39th president of the United States.
1977	Carter explains energy proposal; signs Panama Canal treaties; reaches weapons agreement with Soviet Union.
1978	Carter meets at Camp David with leaders of Egypt and Israel to develop peace plan [Camp David Accords]; signs National Energy Act. Shah of Iran visits Washington.
1979	Revolt in Iran; Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty signed in March; Carter and Soviet Premier Brezhnev sign SALT II in June; sixty-six Americans taken hostage in Iran on November 4.
1980	Carter runs for a second term in office; Iraq invades Iran in September; Carter debates Republican candidate Ronald Reagan in July; Reagan defeats Carter on November 4.
1981	Carter reaches agreement with Iranians to release American hostages on January 20; Ronald Reagan inaugurated as president; Carter returns to Plains; Egyptian President Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Begin visit Plains.
1982	Carter Center is founded; Carter begins teaching at Emory University.
1987	Jimmy Carter Presidential Library opens in Atlanta.
1998	Carter receives first United Nations Human Rights Prize.
2002	Carter is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
2012	The Carter Center celebrates thirty years of service. Under Jimmy Carter’s leadership, it has monitored ninety-four elections in thirty-seven countries, promoted peace, and fought deadly diseases. He has taught at Emory University for thirty-one years.
2013	Habitat for Humanity celebrates thirty years of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Projects. Jimmy Carter is Habitat’s most famous volunteer.