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.
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President Carter signed the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act, which set national goals for employment and economic growth and required annual reports on economic policy to Congress.
President Carter signed the Airline Deregulation Act, beginning the phased removal of federal controls over fares, routes, and market entry previously enforced by the Civil Aeronautics Board.
President Carter signed the Civil Service Reform Act, abolishing the Civil Service Commission and creating the Office of Personnel Management, the Merit Systems Protection Board, and the Federal Labor Relations Authority.
President Jimmy Carter joined Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin on September 17, 1978, for the signing of the Camp David Accords, two framework agreements outlining steps toward peace between Egypt and Israel and broader Middle East issues.
The Supreme Court ruled in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke that the University of California Davis medical school had violated the Equal Protection Clause by using a racial quota, ordering Allan Bakke admitted while allowing race to be considered as one factor in admissions.
On 1978-03-19 the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 425, calling for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and establishing the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The U.S. Senate voted to give its advice and consent to the two Panama Canal treaties negotiated by President Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos that would transfer control of the canal to Panama by the end of 1999.
President Carter signed the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Act into law, tightening U.S. controls on nuclear exports and requiring full‑scope safeguards for recipients of U.S. nuclear materials and technology.
President Jimmy Carter delivered his 1978 State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, outlining priorities on energy conservation, inflation control, and human rights.
Carter signed the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, giving the president broad authority to regulate international commerce and financial transactions after declaring a national emergency.
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat began a historic visit to Jerusalem on November 19, 1977, an initiative the Carter administration publicly welcomed as a major step toward Arab-Israeli negotiations.
On November 8, 1977, Republican John N. Dalton won the Virginia governorship, defeating Democrat Henry Howell.