Timeline of Jimmy Carter’s Presidency (1977 – 1981)

1977

• January 20: Inauguration of Jimmy Carter as the 39th President. He emphasizes transparency, human rights, and energy conservation.
• March 2: Creation of the Department of Energy and the Department of Education to streamline governmental operations and focus on key national issues.
• April 18: The first extensive reorganization of the federal government in decades, aiming for efficiency and better public service.
• July 15: Ratification of the Panama Canal Treaty, which initiates the transfer of control of the canal to Panama, improving U.S.-Latin American relations.

1978

• March 26: The Camp David Summit occurs, where Carter mediates between Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, leading to groundbreaking peace talks.
• September 17: The Camp David Accords are signed, creating a framework for peace in the Middle East, which includes Egypt recognizing Israel.
• March 28: The Three Mile Island nuclear accident occurs in Pennsylvania, resulting in a partial meltdown and raising public concern about nuclear safety.

1979

• April 1: In response to the Three Mile Island incident, President Carter visits the facility. He meets with plant officials and assures the public that the plant was safe and not contaminated.
• January 16: The Shah of Iran, a U.S. ally, flees to the U.S., leading to a power vacuum and the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini.
• April – October: A significant gas shortage occurs in the United States, caused by the Iranian Revolution. As tensions rise, oil production in Iran declines, leading to fears of supply disruptions. The crisis is exacerbated by OPEC’s (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) oil embargo and production cuts, resulting in long lines at gas stations and increased prices.
• November 4: Iranian students seize the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 American hostages; this crisis becomes a pivotal moment for Carter’s presidency.
• Throughout 1979: Increased protests erupt against the nuclear industry, reflecting public anxiety over nuclear energy following the Three Mile Island accident.

1980

• April 24-25: Operation Eagle Claw, a failed rescue mission for the hostages in Iran, results in a disastrous outcome for the U.S. military.
• July 3: After 444 days, the U.S. hostages are released, just as Reagan is inaugurated, marking a significant, yet frustrating, end to the crisis during Carter’s term.
• November 14: Carter’s administration is marked by high inflation, unemployment, and an energy crisis (including gas shortages), leading to social unrest and protests, particularly around issues of economic hardship and foreign oil dependency.

1981

• January 20: Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as the 40th President, symbolizing a shift in policy direction and ending Carter’s presidency.

Rest in Peace President Carter.