(NewsNation) — Former President Jimmy Carter celebrates his 100th birthday Tuesday — making him the first American president to live a full century.
Celebrations include a benefit concert and the construction of 30 new Habitat for Humanity homes, marking the occasion in Carter’s philanthropic fashion.
What was the US like when Jimmy Carter was born?
Carter was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia. Much has changed since then. Calvin Coolidge was the president at the time. The summer and winter Olympics both happened that year. “The Thief of Bagdad,” starring Douglas Fairbanks, was topping the box office and the Washington Senators beat the New York Giants in the World Series.
The average cost of a home was just around $23,000. Gas cost about 19 cents per gallon and a pound of steak was about 37 cents. You could even buy a brand-new car for just over $100.
How has it changed?
The country faced a long list of significant events leading up to Carter’s venture into politics, including the invention of the first car phone, World War II, the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War and The Beatles’ disbandment.
Carter rose to become America’s 39th president. His legacy includes hands-on support for Habitat for Humanity and advocacy for affordable housing, which earned him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Fast forward several decades — the world has experienced a new series of significant cultural events. That includes the rise of social media, a global pandemic and now — the world’s longest-living president turning 100 years old.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
