PLAINS, Ga. — The Jimmy Carter National Historical Park hosted President’s Day in Plains on Monday morning.
The park brought in historians to discuss former President Jimmy Carter’s impact on a local, national and international scale.
Around 30 people gathered at the park’s auditorium for the event. In the past, President Carter and his wife Rosalynn often spoke here on President’s Day. The former First Lady died on Nov. 19, 2023.
This comes after Jimmy Carter entered hospice care at his home in south Georgia one year ago this week. Since then the former U.S. president has celebrated his 99th birthday, enjoyed tributes to his legacy and lost his wife of 77 years.
The family released the following statement Sunday before the President’s Day celebration in Plains on Monday.
“President Carter continues to be at home with his family,” the statement said. “The family is pleased that his decision last year to enter hospice care has sparked so many family discussions across the country on an important subject.”
The Mayor of Americus and historian Lee Kinnamon spoke about the importance of this place you grow up in. He said Plains shaped President Carter and his influence can be seen and felt everywhere in the small town.
Stanley Gobold discussed President Carter’s work on human rights, foreign policy, the environment and his love for Rosalynn.
“He favored power for peace. The Camp David Accords is at the top of the list,” Gobold said. “Virtually everything he did foreign policy and domestic policy was to bring about peace.”
The Camp David Accords was signed by Carter in 1978. It established the framework for a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt.
Carter was not in attendance for the annual celebration in Plains.