We used to have a pastor who would say, when you pray, God has three answers. One is yes, the other one is no, and the third one is, you gotta be kidding. So I'm not sure which one it is yet.

From humble beginnings in rural Georgia to the White House and decades of tireless work for peace, human rights, and social justice, today we are honoring the extraordinary life and legacy of the 39th president of the United States, Jimmy Carter, who sadly passed away today at the age of 100. I'm Liam Heffernan, and you're listening to a very special episode of America, a history podcast. President Carter may have passed away, but he leaves behind a profound legacy that extends far beyond his time in office. He was a man of faith, compassion, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others. While his presidency may have been marked by challenges, his post presidential life became one of the most remarkable in american history. Throughout this episode, we will explore his life, his presidency, and his post presidency years, drawing on interviews, speeches, and key moments that defined him as a leader and a humanitarian. James Earl Carter Junior was born on October 1, 1924, in the small town of Plains, Georgia. He was raised during the Great Depression, and his early years were spent on his family's peanut farm. Carter's upbringing instilled in him a deep understanding of hard work and community values. His father, Earl, was a farmer and local businessman, and his mother, Lillian, was a nurse. Carter would later say that it was his mother's sense of compassion and service that inspired him throughout his life. Despite the challenges of rural life, Carter excelled academically, eventually earning a place at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He served in the Navy as a submariner and worked under Admiral Hyman Rickover, pioneer of nuclear powered submarines. His time in the military was formative, shaping his sense of discipline and leadership. But Carter's career in the navy ended when his father passed away in 1953. Here's Jimmy Carter from a CNBC interview where he reflected on that time I.

Had the best job in the navy. I was in charge of one of the two nuclear submarines being built at that time, and it was a choice assignment for any young officer of my rank, and there was a very torturous decision for me to make. I never had thought about it before. When I got back where I was working in Schenectady in New York, and told my wife I was planning to leave the Navy, she was very angry. In fact, later, when we drove home from Schenectady, New York, to Plains, Georgia, seven hour drive. She never spoke to me on the way if she had to go to the restroom, she would tell our oldest son, tell your father, I need to stop at the restroom. And she was very upset about going back to a little tiny town of Plains.

He returned to Plains to manage the family farm and step into the role of community leader, just as his father had done before him. But his ambitions extended beyond Georgia. In 1962, Carter took his first step into politics, running for the Georgia state Senate. Known for his integrity and his willingness to tackle corruption, he soon gained a reputation as a reformer. This set the stage for his successful run for governor of Georgia in 1970. During his time as governor, Carter worked to dismantle segregationist policies and improve education and healthcare in the state. It was also during this time that he made a bold speech in which.

He declared that the time for racial discrimination is over. No poor, rural, weak, or black person should ever have to bear the additional burden of being deprived of the opportunity of an education, a job, or simple justice.

This commitment to civil rights and equality defined much of his political career. By 1976, America was looking for a leader who could restore faith in the presidency. After Watergate and the resignation of Richard Nixon, Carter, a relatively unknown figure at the time on the national stage, at least, launched a campaign that emphasized honesty, transparency, and a connection to the everyday struggles of Americans. He presented himself as a Washington outsider, a peanut farmer who would bring integrity back to the White House. With his humble demeanour and southern charm, Carter secured the democratic nomination and went on to win the presidency, defeating former vice president and incumbent President Gerald Ford.

For and for our nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land.

This is President Carter's inauguration speech on January 20, 1977, where he acknowledges the magnitude of the next four years.

You have given me a great responsibility to stay close to you, to be worthy of you, and to exemplify what you are. Let us create together a new national spirit of unity and trust. Your strength can compensate for my weakness, and your wisdom can help to minimize my mistakes.

Carter's victory was seen as a fresh start for the nation, a turning point after the turmoil of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal, he promised an administration that would be rooted in ethical governance and transparency, themes that resonated with the public. Wary of corruption, Jimmy Carter's presidency, which lasted from 1977 to 1981, was defined by a mix of achievements and significant challenges. He entered the White House during a period of economic difficulties, rising inflation, and an energy crisis. But despite all of this, Carter worked diligently to tackle some of the country's most pressing issues. One of his most notable achievements came on the international stage. Carter brokered the historic camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel in 1978, a peace agreement that still stands today. His personal diplomacy and hands on approach to foreign policy earned him praise as a peacemaker, and he considered the Camp David Accords one of his proudest accomplishments.

When we first arrived at Camp David, the first thing upon which we agreed was to ask the people of the world to pray that our negotiations would be successful. Those prayers have been answered far beyond any expectations.

But Carter's presidency wasn't without its challenges. Domestically, he faced an energy crisis that tested the patience of the american public. His call for energy conservation and the creation of the Department of Energy were forward thinking, but often unpopular at the time. Additionally, the economic issues of stagflation, which is high inflation combined with unemployment, hampered his administrations domestic agenda. Carters handling of the Iran hostage crisis also became a defining moment. In 1979, iranian militants stormed the us embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. The hostages remained in captivity, and Carters attempts to secure their release, including a failed rescue mission, became a painful symbol of the difficulties his administration faced. Though he ultimately negotiated their release, it wasn't until the day Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as president in January 1981 that the hostages were actually freed. This long drawn out crisis contributed to Carter's defeat in the 1980 election. But his perseverance in seeking a peaceful resolution reflected his deep commitment to diplomacy.

Despite the intensity of our emotions, the lives of our people in Iran are at stake. I must emphasize the gravity of the situation. It's vital to the United States and to every other nation that the lives of diplomatic personnel and other citizens abroad be protected, and that we refuse to permit the use of terrorism and that the seizure and the holding of hostages to impose political demands. No one should underestimate the resolve of the american government and the american people in this matter.

While his presidency was often overshadowed by economic troubles and foreign policy crises, his legacy has been reevaluated over time. His emphasis on human rights, both domestically and abroad, was pioneering. He placed a strong focus on ethical governance and environmental sustainability, warning of the dangers of climate change and dependence on foreign oil. Long before these became central issues in american politics, his administration also saw the creation of important institutions such as the Department of Energy and the Department of Education. Carter also appointed record numbers of women and minorities to the federal bench, reflecting his commitment to both civil rights and inclusion.

Carter, in some ways represents this last moment of potential unity, of potential bipartisanship. He represents the first moment in modern times when Americans reached out to someone very deliberately who was a Washington outsider and hoped for the best.

This is Professor Daniel K. Williams from the University of West Georgia, speaking on a previous episode of this podcast.

It's unfortunate that Carter did not experience greater success in working actually with members of his own party in Congress. When he came into office, both houses of Congress were controlled by the Democrats, but Carter was a different sort of Democrat and it was difficult for him to work effectively with congressional leaders. Nevertheless, I think his commitment to fiscal responsibility, his commitment to moral principles in foreign policy, and his commitment to trying to do what he believed would be best for every group of Americans, rather than to be beholden to what he might have viewed as special interests or even artisanship, is something that I think is admirable. And, you know, something that I think will, will have to be reckoned in his favor as we evaluate his legacy.

For many, Jimmy Carter's greatest legacy began after he left the White House. Instead of fading from public life, he embarked on a decades long journey of humanitarian work. In 1982, he founded the Carter Centre, which focused on advancing human rights, alleviating poverty and promoting peace. The centre's work on global health, particularly its efforts to eradicate diseases like guinea worm and river blindness, has been transformative. Carter became a global ambassador for peace, travelling to conflict zones and mediating disputes. His efforts in international election monitoring contributed to fair democratic processes in countries around the world. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his tireless work in promoting peace, democracy and human rights. But Carter also remained deeply connected to his community in Plains, Georgia. Every Sunday well into his nineties, he taught Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church, welcoming visitors from around the world. Here is Carter's niece from the Maranatha Baptist Church, reading a quote from her uncle about the driving force behind his post presidential years.

I have one life and one chance to make it count for something. I'm free to choose that something. That's something. And the something that I've chosen is my faith. My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I can, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have, to try to make a difference. And in my mind, that is a legacy worthy statement.

In many ways, Carter redefined what it means to be a former president. His post presidency has set a new standard for service, showing that even after leaving the Oval Office, there's still much work to be done. However, in recent years he's stepped back from public life, but still manages to surpass our expectations, becoming the first president to reach 100 years old despite receiving hospice care since February 2023. In November 23, Jimmy Carter sadly said goodbye to his wife and America's former first lady, Rosalynn Carter. They had been married for 78 years, but still, Jimmy battled on, determined to stay alive long enough, in his words, to vote for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Even until the end, his dedication to the democracy in which he served as commander in chief for four years was unshakable. On his 100th birthday, longtime colleague, friend, and fellow President Joe Biden delivered this message.

You've always been a moral force for our nation and the world. I recognize that as a young senator. That's why I supported you so early. Your voice of courage, conviction, compassion, your hopeful vision of our country, your commitment to a better world, and your unwavering belief in the power of human goodness continues to be a guiding light for all of us. Put simply, Mister President, I admire you so darn much. May God continue to bless you, Mister President, you've been a good friend.

Jimmy Carter's life was one of service, humility, and deep moral conviction. From his efforts to bring peace to the Middle east, to his dedication to eradicating disease, to his enduring faith and compassion, Carter's legacy is one of profound impact. His presidency may have been defined by struggles, but his lifelong commitment to making the world a better place will always endure. And so there are no better words to sign off this dedication, and no better way to epitomize the man and the president that he was than with a quote from President Jimmy Carter himself.

I'd like to see our country be the champion of basic human rights. I'd like for our country to be looked upon as the foremost proponent and protector of liberty, freedom and democracy. I'd like to see our country be unselfish for a change. So I would say peace and human rights and freedom and the alleviation of suffering, or the characteristics, in my opinion, of a great nation.