Plains, United States:

Jimmy Carter celebrated his 100th birthday today – the first US president ever to reach the century mark and another extraordinary milestone for the former peanut farmer who found his way to the White House.

Carter’s long life — he began hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia, more than 19 months ago — has defied all odds.

The Democratic ex-president no longer makes regular public appearances and is spending his birthday at the house he and his late wife Rosalynn built in Plains in the 1960s. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the celebration will include lunch with about 20 members of his extended family.

President Joe Biden called Carter a “beloved friend” and “one of the most influential statesmen” in American history in a video on his official X account.

“Your unwavering belief in the power of human goodness remains a guiding light for us all,” he said.

The White House lawn was decorated Tuesday with a sign that read “Happy Birthday President Carter.”

Britain’s King Charles III sent a private message of congratulations, expressing “great admiration for the president’s career and public service,” a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.

And Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who is currently overseeing the response to a major storm disaster, declared “Jimmy Carter Day” across the state.

SMALL TOWN

In addition to serving as Commander in Chief for a single term from 1977 to 1981, Carter worked as a global mediator, rights activist, and elder statesman. In 1982, he founded the respected Carter Center to pursue his vision of world diplomacy.

His presidency included the 1978 Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, the establishment of diplomatic relations with China following a rapprochement initiated by President Richard Nixon, and the return of control of the Panama Canal to Panama.

But his administration encountered numerous problems, including the Iran hostage crisis and another oil crisis in 1979-1980, which brought Ronald Reagan to power in a landslide.

“We are thrilled that the president of this small town will be the only president to ever live to be 100 years old,” Jill Stuckey, superintendent of the National Park Service’s Jimmy Carter Historic Site and longtime family friend, told AFP.

She spoke from Plains High School, where Carter graduated in 1941 and which now serves as a visitors center for the national park that features sites from his early life, including the nearby peanut farm where he grew up.

On Tuesday, the school held a naturalization ceremony for 100 new U.S. citizens, who placed hands on their hearts and recited the oath of allegiance.

“He did so much for America,” said Adriana Vickers, 46, originally from Brazil.

“He is for all nations,” Carlene Ford, another newly naturalized citizen from Jamaica, told AFP. “He is for everyone, he is for the people.”

A flyover of four F-18 jets and two vintage aircraft graced the skies over Plains as part of the city’s festivities.

‘ALWAYS’ POLITICS

Carter, a devout Baptist and self-described “born again” Christian, is remembered for his moralistic streak, but also for his civility, admired even by opponents across the aisle.

According to the family, Carter remains very interested in politics and was highly motivated to reach 100 and vote for fellow Democrat Kamala Harris in the November election.

“He will vote by mail,” Stuckey told AFP, adding “he has always been very politically active, and nothing has changed on that front.”

During the naturalization ceremony, attended by the mayor, those present were urged to register to vote.

In Plains, as in many rural places with strong evangelical Christian leanings, far more yard signs support Republican Donald Trump than Harris.

But it’s also not uncommon to see a sign honoring Carter’s centennial, next to a sign supporting Trump.

Carl Lowell, who has lived in Plains since he was a child, said he tries not to get involved in politics because it is “so divisive” right now.

Like most Plains residents, the 59-year-old retired firefighter is connected to Carter in several ways: He says his grandfather helped build the Carters’ home and that he himself once went dove hunting with him.

“Jimmy is a good man, he’s a godly man, and that’s what people like about him,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)