On Dec. 29, 2024, Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States of America, passed at the age of 100. According to reports from the Carter Center, Carter died with his loved ones surrounding him. 

Shortly after, a memorial service was held where Carter was eulogized by Vice President Kamala Harris, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Many politicians extended their condolences, including five US presidents and many foreign leaders.

Eulogies focused mainly on Carter’s character, along with his presidential and long running post-presidential career. Among his recognized accomplishments were his collaborations with Habitat for Humanity, the work he did to broker peace, and the establishment of the US Departments of Education and Energy.

Arguably, the centerpiece of Carter’s achievements was the Carter Center, an organization he established with his wife Rosalynn in partnership with Emory University. The mission of the Carter Center is to promote peace, human rights and good health. Because of his work with the Carter Center, Carter was given the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize.

After Carter’s death, President Joe Biden ordered US flags at federal buildings to be flown at half-staff for thirty days, as is tradition. Controversially, Mike Johnson, ordered flags to be raised to full-staff for Donald Trump’s inauguration, which happened just 22 days after Carter’s death. This decision broke the precedent set by President Richard Nixon in 1973, who had flags flown at half-staff for his inauguration after the death of President Harry Truman.