The US held a state funeral for former president Jimmy Carter in Washington, DC, before burying him in his hometown in Georgia.
The national funeral ceremony for former US president Jimmy Carter was held at Washington National Cathedral at 10:00 a.m. today (10:00 p.m. Hanoi time). His coffin has been in state at Capitol Hill since the afternoon of January 7 for people to pay their respects.
The funeral was attended by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and his wife, President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania, and Vice President-elect JD Vance. Former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton were also present at the event.
Mr. Biden delivered the eulogy at the ceremony. Answer the interview USA Today Previously, President Biden said he was asked by Mr. Carter to do this when the two last met four years ago.
Former President Jimmy Carter’s coffin was moved from Capitol Hill to Washington National Cathedral on January 9. Image: Reuters
After the funeral rites are completed, Mr. Carter’s coffin will be taken to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to be transported to his hometown in Plains City, Georgia.
A smaller scale ceremony will take place the same evening in Plains. Mr. Carter was then buried next to his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in 2023.
Mr. Carter, the 39th president of the United States, passed away on December 29, 2024 at his home at the age of 100. In recent years, he had a number of health problems, including melanoma that metastasized to liver and brain. President Biden requested that administrative buildings fly flags at half-mast within 30 days of Mr. Carter’s death.
In addition to achievements such as the Camp David Accords, Mr. Carter also faced challenges during his term, from economic recession and unpopularity to the Iran hostage crisis in 1980, which occupied his last 444 days in office. with him.
Former US President Jimmy Carter in Atlanta, Georgia, in August 2015. Image: Reuters
After leaving office, he was active in humanitarian activities for decades. He and his wife founded the Carter Center based in Atlanta, Georgia in 1982 with the goal of promoting world peace and health.
In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his “relentless efforts in finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts, promoting democracy and human rights, promoting economic development and society”.