SPOKANE, Wash. – America’s 39th President Jimmy Carter turned 100 Tuesday. The iconic Georgian visited Spokane in 1978.
Carter assumed office in 1977 after leading a breakout presidential campaign. The unassuming Evangelical emphasized building a stronger social safety net and ecological preservation during his term.
When Riverfront Park was dedicated on May 5, 1978, Carter highlighted the importance of clean air, water and forests alongside
“My friend Tom Foley thinks the Inland Empire is an American version of the Garden of Eden. And as I looked over the rich agricultural land and the beautiful mountains and hills and streams as I flew in this morning, I can see what he means,” Carter said.
It was the second time the president visited the Lilac City, with Carter initially appearing in Spokane as Georgia Governor during Expo ‘74.
After a single term marked by daunting international challenges, President Jimmy Carter left office in 1981, marking the ascendance of Reagan’s new right in national politics. Over the next four decades, Carter’s legacy as a servant leader and defender of democracy have transcended partisan divides.
On his 100th birthday, Carter celebrated with his family in his hometown of Plains at the hospice facility where he has lived since his wife Rosalynn Carter died in Nov. 2023. According to his grandson, he is looking forward to casting his ballot for Vice President Kamala Harris.
