(Image courtesy of United States Postal Service)

The United States Postal Service is soon to release a commemorative Forever stamp honoring former President Jimmy Carter’s legacy on October 1st, 2025 in Atlanta. October 1st would have been President Carter’s 101st birthday. Former President Carter passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on December 29th, 2024 at the age of 100. 

The stamp is a Forever Stamp, which means that, unlike regular stamps with a fixed value, these stamps retain their value indefinitely and are always valid for the current first-class postage rate. The stamp displays a painting of Carter from 1982 by Herbert E. Abrams. Abrams made the art as a part of his work on Carter’s White House portrait. 

Representatives of the Friends of Jimmy Carter, the National Park Service and the U.S. Postal Service revealed the stamp art on August 16th at the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park in Plains, Georgia. 

According to Peter Pastre, who is the Postal Service’s government relations and public policy vice president, “The stamp program celebrates the best in American culture, places and people, and it is difficult to consider a more fitting honoree than former President Jimmy Carter. In his support and leadership of his beloved community, state, and nation, he lent his quiet, thoughtful and deliberate energy around causes he believed in, and most certainly in his conduct and accomplishments as a former President, Jimmy Carter truly personified the best in America. I am honored to participate in the reveal of this stamp art which fully evokes his humanity.” 

Indeed, Jimmy Carter led a life of service.

Jimmy Carter, born James Earl Carter, on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, was a man whose life was marked by service, compassion, and a commitment to helping others. He grew up in the small town of Plains, where he was raised on a farm and learned the values of hard work, honesty, and humility. After high school, Carter attended the United States Naval Academy and served as a submariner in the U.S. Navy. He later returned to Georgia to take over the family farm, where he became deeply involved in local politics and community service.

Carter’s political career began in 1963, when he was elected to the Georgia State Senate. He became governor of Georgia in 1971 and worked to improve education, health care, and racial equality. In 1976, he was elected the 39th president of the United States, and during his time in office, he worked on many important issues, including peace in the Middle East, human rights, and environmental protection. One of his greatest achievements as president was helping broker the Camp David Accords, a peace agreement between Israel and Egypt that earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

Even after leaving the White House, Carter’s dedication to service continued. He and his wife, Rosalynn, founded Habitat for Humanity, an organization that helps build affordable homes for people in need. The Carters also established The Carter Center, which works to promote global peace, health, and human rights. Carter became a tireless advocate for eradicating diseases like guinea worm disease, and he spent years traveling to remote parts of the world to provide medical care and education. In addition to his humanitarian work, Carter returned to farming and lived out his final years in Plains, where he continued to teach others the importance of helping others and living with kindness. Jimmy Carter's legacy is one of selfless service, showing the world that true leadership is about making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Every time someone uses the stamp, they are honoring a president who truly believed in service, kindness, and making a difference, one thoughtful step at a time.