Jimmy Carter at 100: How Georgia Celebrates

Former President Jimmy Carter turns 100 on October 1, and his home state of Georgia is preparing to honor one of its most revered 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 assumed the nation’s highest office. Across the Peach State, citizens, officials and organizations are preparing a series of tributes and events for their most famous peanut farmer and Nobel Prize winner.

Music and movies

The Carter Center, which was the home of Carter’s widely praised post-presidential work, is playing a key role in the birthday celebrations, having previously hosted a concert in Atlanta in September featuring the former president’s favorite music, with proceeds from ticket sales going to the Carter Center.

Performers at the event included Chuck Leavell, D-Nice, Drive-By Truckers, Eric Church, GROUPLOVE, Maren Morris, The War And Treaty, Angélique Kidjo, BeBe Winans, Carlene Carter, Duane Betts, The B-52s and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus. Actress Renee Zellweger was one of the special guests.

The concert will air on Georgia Public Broadcasting on Carter’s birthday.

Another concert will be held on the former president’s birthday in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. The event was organized by Friends of Jimmy Carter National Historical Park and members of the Carter family are expected to attend.

According to Atlanta News First, that same day, metal plaques inscribed with the Charters of Freedom — the collective name for the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights — will go on permanent display at Jimmy Carter National Park.

Ahead of the big day, the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum is hosting the JC100 Film Festival on Sept. 28. The day-long film event will feature a selection of Carter’s favorite films from a list of films he watched at the White House, the library announced, including: Jaws, Star Wars AND All the President’s Men.

Photographic tributes

In addition, The Carter Center invited members of the public to submit photos of themselves and birthday messages for the nation’s oldest living former president. The images form a mosaic commemorating the centennial.

The messages include words of appreciation for his “tireless service” and “sacrifice,” sent by fans from across the United States and around the world.

Newsweek reached out to the Carter Center and the Carter family for comment on the ceremony.

Who is Jimmy Carter?

Carter served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. As a former governor of Georgia, Carter prioritized human rights and energy reform. After his presidency, he became known for his global humanitarian efforts and founding of the Carter Center. In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his decades of efforts to peacefully resolve international conflicts, promote democracy and human rights, and advance global economic and social development.

Last February, he entered hospice care and reportedly joked that he was “just trying to vote for Kamala Harris.”

Absentee ballots for Georgia open Oct. 7, just six days after Carter’s 100th birthday. In-person early voting begins Oct. 15.

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