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By Theo Burman
Live News Reporter
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Former President Jimmy Carter turned 100 on October 1, and his home state of Georgia is celebrating one of its most honored residents.
The 39th president's centennial is more than just a personal milestone — it's a statewide celebration of the life and legacy of a Georgia native who ascended to the nation's highest office. All across the Peach State, citizens, officials and organizations are preparing an array of tributes and events to its most famous peanut farmer-turned-Nobel laureate.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared October 1 "Jimmy Carter Day" in the state, in recognition of the former president's humanitarian legacy.
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Writing on X, formerly Twitter, the Republican governor said, "On former President Jimmy Carter's 100th Birthday, I have declared today 'Jimmy Carter Day' in the State of Georgia to recognize his legacy as our 76th Governor and 39th President. Marty, the girls, and I send him best wishes as he and his family celebrate this milestone."
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Music and Movies
The Carter Center, which has been the base for Carter's widely-praised post-presidential work, is playing a key role in the birthday celebrations. Earlier in September it organized a concert in Atlanta featuring the former president's favorite music, with profits from ticket sales going to the Carter Center.
Performers at the event included Carlene Carter, The B-52s, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus. Actress Renee Zellweger was among the special guests.
Jason Carter, chair of the Carter Center board of trustees, told Newsweek: "Jimmy Carter 100: A Celebration in Song truly exceeded my expectations.
"It was an incredible evening, full of good music and heartfelt tributes, and it made history as the first-ever 100th birthday celebration for a living American president. Thanks to this partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting, not only will my grandfather be watching, but we can share that experience with the rest of the world."
The concert was aired on Georgia Public Broadcasting on Carter's birthday.
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Another concert was held on the former president's birthday, in his home town of Plains, Georgia. The event has been organized by the Friends of Jimmy Carter National Historical Park and members of the Carter family are expected to attend.
Also on October 1, settings of the Charters of Freedom — a collective name used to describe the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights —etched on metal plates were put on permanent display in the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, according to Atlanta News First.
Ahead of the big day, the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum is hosting the JC100 Film Festival on September 28. The all-day film movie event will feature a selection of Carter's favorites from the list of films he watched in the White House, the library said, including Jaws, Star Wars and All the President's Men.
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Photo Tributes
Additionally, The Carter Center invited members of the public to contribute photos of themselves alongside birthday messages for the country's oldest living former president. The images make up a mosaic marking the centennial.
Messages include praise for his "tireless service" and "dedication," and have been submitted by fans from the U.S. and around the world.
Who Is Jimmy Carter?
Carter served as the 39th President of the U.S. from 1977 to 1981. A former governor of Georgia, Carter prioritized human rights and energy reform. After his presidency, he became known for global humanitarian efforts and founding The Carter Center. In 2002, Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize for his decades of effort in finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts, advancing democracy and human rights, and promoting global economic and social development.
He entered hospice care in February last year and has reportedly joked that, "I'm only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris."
Absentee ballots for Georgia can be submitted from October 7, just six days after Carter turns 100. In-person early voting starts on October 15.
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