Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, served as the 39th President of the United States from January 20, 1977, to January 20, 1981. His administration emphasized human rights, energy policy, and negotiating peace in the Middle East.
Carter's presidency is remembered for diplomatic achievements such as brokering the 1978 Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel and negotiating the 1977 Panama Canal Treaties, along with major domestic initiatives including the creation of the Departments of Energy and Education and passage of the National Energy Act.
His term was marred by economic difficulties—stagflation and an energy crisis—and by the 1979–1981 Iran hostage crisis, which eroded public confidence. After leaving office he became a prominent global humanitarian and human-rights advocate, founding the Carter Center and receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Brokered the 1978 Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel; Signed the 1977 Panama Canal Treaties to transfer canal control; Established the Departments of Energy and Education and pushed the 1978 National Energy Act; Promoted a human-rights-centered foreign policy and negotiated SALT II; Faced the 1979–1981 Iran hostage crisis and led a failed rescue attempt; Advanced deregulation in transportation (airlines, trucking, rail)
Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.
Showing 12 of 87 entries.
On March 26, 1979, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed the Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty at the White House, formally ending the state of war between the two countries.
By February 11, 1979, opposition forces had effectively toppled the Shah’s regime and the Bakhtiar government collapsed as revolutionary control spread across Iran.
On February 4, 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini named moderate politician Mehdi Bazargan as head of Iran’s provisional government.
Exiled leader Ayatollah Khomeini flew back to Tehran on February 1, 1979, after 14 years abroad, igniting the final phase of the Iranian Revolution.
On January 23, 1979, Carter delivered his annual State of the Union, outlining administration priorities on energy, inflation, defense, and human rights for the coming year.
On January 16, 1979, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi departed Iran into exile as revolutionary forces closed in on Tehran, effectively ending his rule.
On January 1, 1979, the Carter administration implemented the 1978 communique and formally established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China while ending official diplomatic recognition of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
On December 15, 1978, the United States and the People’s Republic of China issued a joint communiqué announcing that the U.S. would formally recognize the PRC and terminate official diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) effective January 1, 1979.
On December 15, 1978, President Carter announced the U.S.-China Joint Communique establishing that the United States would recognize the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China and would formally establish diplomatic relations on January 1, 1979, while ending official recognition of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
On November 18, 1978, more than 900 members of the Peoples Temple died in a mass murder-suicide at Jonestown, Guyana, and U.S. Rep. Leo Ryan was killed while visiting the site.
President Jimmy Carter signed the Natural Gas Policy Act, beginning phased deregulation of wellhead natural gas prices and imposing new rules on interstate gas sales.
In the U.S. midterm elections, held November 7, 1978, Republicans gained seats in both the House and Senate, reducing the Democratic majority.