How Much Do You Know About Jimmy Carter?

On October 1, 1924, Jimmy Carter was born at the same Plains, Georgia, medical center where his mother worked as a nurse. He was the first U.S. president in history to be born in a hospital.

After earning a bachelor of science degree, Jimmy Carter enlisted in the Navy as a commissioned officer and served for seven years. He was the fifth president in a row to be a member of the branch.

Married since 1946, Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter are the parents of four children, although only Amy lived with them in the White House. Now in their 90s, the Carters enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

James Earl Carter Sr. and Bessie Lillian Gordy Carter decided to keep the name in the family when Jimmy Carter was born. Known to the world as Jimmy Carter, President Carter's full name is James Earl Carter Jr.

Jimmy Carter is one of the most humble presidents to have served the United States, and his humanitarian work continues today. Over the years, it has not been uncommon to see both him and his wife Rosalynn building homes for Habitat for Humanity.

Jimmy Carter has always been known as a progressive politician. During his 1976 run for the White House, he maintained the same party affiliation as he did when he served as governor — Democrat.

With 297 electoral votes, Jimmy Carter was elected by the American people on November 2, 1976. He did not officially take office until after the presidential inauguration on January 20, 1977.

Even as a gubernatorial candidate, Jimmy Carter was known for his liberal beliefs. He became the 76th governor of Georgia in 1971 and served right up until the time that he ran for the presidential office.

Over and over again, President Carter has spoken of his admiration for the 33rd president of the United States, Harry S. Truman. Carter tells interviewers that he has great admiration for Truman because he never attempted to profit from the presidency.

Many United States presidents have been the athletic type, but few of them were as active as Jimmy Carter was in high school. During his adolescent years, he played basketball, football and tennis.

President Carter attributes his sense of honesty to the time he stole a penny from the church offering plate during his childhood. Carter says his father swiftly punished him, and he vowed never to steal anything again.

In an effort to upset the reelection of Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter's campaign team turned to the aid of media. During a 1976 interview with Playboy, Carter admitted that he had committed lust in his mind. Perhaps, his honesty earned a little trust with voters.

When the White Citizens' Council came knocking at Jimmy Carter's door, the future humanitarian president turned them and their white nationalist philosophies away. He was then harassed with violent threats, but he didn't let that sway him. In fact, it motivated him to run for the Georgia senate.

It's true! Prior to becoming involved in politics, Jimmy Carter swears that he saw a UFO about thirty miles from his home. He vowed to release all the government's extra-terrestrial records while he was in office, but enthusiasts are still waiting.

With his hero Harry S. Truman in mind, Jimmy Carter wanted to show the country that he was not in office to make a profit. In fact, one of the first things he did was sell the presidential yacht. He said that it was too excessive.

The Jimmy Carter boyhood farm has been in the Carter family since 1928. Now a historic visitation center, the farm can be toured. Although it no longer produces peanuts, they were the farm's main crop when Carter was growing up.

Out of all the presidents who have received the Nobel Peace Prize, Jimmy Carter had to wait the longest. In 2002, he was honored for his efforts to broker international peace and for his humanitarian efforts.

Unfortunately, Jimmy Carter did not win his bid for reelection in 1980. With the Iran Hostage Crisis looming over him, he was considered a little too controversial for some. He lost the race to Ronald Reagan.

Two years after leaving office in 1980, President Carter and his wife Rosalynn founded a not-for-profit charity named the Carter Center. The Carter Center operates in more than 80 countries.

When a Dollar General opened in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, Jimmy Carter attended the ceremony. He is frequently seen there, purchasing his clothing and other household goods.

Since leaving office, President Carter has authored over 30 books. He's never written a book called "Life in Georgia," though. Never using his prestigious former title for profit, he lives on the profits from the book and the stipend he receives from serving as commander in chief.

Known for his presidential negotiation skills and his humanitarian leanings, President Carter stepped into a sticky situation in Panama. He managed to broker two deals with the country before he passed the reins to President Reagan.

Along with starting the Carter Center in 1982, Jimmy Carter became a member of the staff at Emory University. He taught there for 37 years before finally receiving tenure in 2019.

When he blew out the candles on his 2019 birthday cake, President Carter turned 95. He holds the record as being the oldest former President of the United States, and he is extending that record daily. The next longest-lived is George H.W. Bush, who passed away at the age of 94 years, 171 days.

When President Carter was diagnosed with cancer, he flew through the treatments and into complete remission. A 2019 surgery to remove a subdural hematoma from his brain had everyone waiting on pins and needles, but he enjoyed a full recovery.

Former presidents like Clinton and Obama live in large, opulent homes that cost millions — not President Carter. The current Carter home in Plains, Georgia, is one he built himself in 1961, and it is valued at $167,000.

Former presidents are paid an annual stipend of $210,700 per year, and it's only a drop in the bucket for many. Carter prefers to live modestly and takes in most of his income from the sale of his books.

Frequently on Sunday — but not every week — the former president teaches Sunday school at the Plains, Georgia, Maranatha Baptist Church. If you want to attend, you will have to get there early. No advance reservations are allowed, and a line forms around the block.

In 2015, President Jimmy Carter was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma that spread to his liver and his brain. After receiving immunotherapy, chemotherapy and radiation, he announced that he was cancer-free in 2016.

It's often been said that the whole town of Plains, Georgia, is a tribute to its favorite former president. Every year, more than 70,000 guests contribute $4 million in revenue by visiting his birthplace.

Ever the humble couple, the Carters refuse to buy yogurt at the supermarket — they make it themselves! They are not big spenders with a vast wine cellar, either. They prefer to bring home the budget wine and enjoy it with their neighbors.

Right in the middle of Plains, Georgia, there's a big statue that pays tribute to the former president. A giant peanut with Jimmy Carter's iconic smile greets visitors as they head to the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site.

Following Carter's "crisis of confidence" speech, many opposing lawmakers dubbed it the "malaise" speech because of his laid back stance on the Iran Hostage Crisis. Contrary to popular opinion, he never uttered the word "malaise" during this speech on July 15, 1979.

Walter Frederick "Fritz" Mondale was always President Carter's choice for a running mate. The former diplomat proudly served as vice president from 1977 to 1981, before the pair lost to Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

Right during election time, President Carter had more on his plate than campaigning for votes. His standoff with Iranian officials caused 52 Americans to be held hostage for 444 days. Many claim that this situation cost him the bid for reelection.