Former 39th President James Earl Carter Jr, known as Jimmy Carter, died on Dec. 29, 2024. Born on Oct. 1, 1924, Carter was 100 years old when he passed, making him the longest living president in United States history. His funeral procession took place on Jan 7, 2025. Carter’s body was flown in from his home state of Georgia, then transported to the capital in a horse-drawn caisson. All five living US presidents were in attendance, including George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Joseph Biden, and President Donald Trump. The day of his funeral, Jan. 7, was named as a National Day of Mourning. In turn, this closed the US Stock Market, and the United States Postal Service. The traditional mourning period when a former president passes away is 30 days. On all federal buildings, the flag will be at half mast until Jan 28, 2025. In result, it was perceived that the flags would be flown halfway during the inauguration of President Trump. But, Trump requested that this not be the case, as it brings a sense of bad morale. So, the flags will be flown at full height for the inauguration on Jan 20.
Carter’s legacy was something that was celebrated by the entire country. In his presidency, he helped to establish the Department of Education, and altered the country’s foreign policies to put an emphasis on human rights. However, a lot of what he will be remembered for is his work after his four years in office. He worked with Habitat for Humanity, which resulted in a work project titled the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. This is an annual project that has been building homes for people for around 30 years. Carter left a lasting legacy on the government, and the United States as a whole.
