America says goodbye to President Jimmy Carter
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The flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter at the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Georgia and the nation will say their final farewells to former President Jimmy Carter on Thursday, as his state funeral service gets underway at 10am in Washington, D.C.
Why it matters: Thursday is the National Day of Mourning for Carter, the peanut farmer who rose to become Georgia's governor and the country's 39th president. Carter died Dec. 29 at age 100.
The latest: Public viewing of Carter's casket lying in state at the U.S. Capitol ends at 7am today.
- The casket then will be transported to the Washington National Cathedral, where it is expected to arrive at 9:30am. His remains are scheduled to be carried into the cathedral at 9:55am, and the funeral service is set for 10am.
- President Biden will eulogize him, as Carter requested before he died.
- President-elect Trump and all living former U.S. presidents are expected to attend the service.
What's next: After the funeral service ends, Carter and his family will travel at 11:15am after the service to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland for his final journey home.
- The plane is expected to arrive at Fort Moore in southwest Georgia at 2pm, and the motorcade will travel to Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains for a private funeral service scheduled to take place at 3:45pm.
- At 4:45pm, the late president and his family will take his final trip through downtown Plains — where he grew up, met his wife Rosalynn, and lived after his presidency. The public can view the motorcade along the route.
- Then there will be a private burial at the Carter home at 5:20pm.
How to watch or listen: Turn your radio dial to 90.1 WABE, the local NPR affiliate, to listen to live coverage starting at 9am.
- You can also view the service on PBS and on WABE's website.
Yes, and: U.S. flags are flying at half-staff on all federal buildings, grounds and naval vessels for 30 days following his death.
- Biden issued an executive order last week to close all executive departments and federal agencies on Thursday "as a mark of respect" for the former president.
- Financial markets will be largely closed for the day of mourning.
- USPS suspended services for the day.
Flashback: The last state funeral for a U.S. president was for George H.W. Bush in 2018, which Carter attended with the five other living presidents.
More Carter coverage from Axios:
- Jimmy Carter lies in state in D.C.
- In photos: Jimmy Carter memorial services begin with Georgia procession
- Inside Jimmy Carter's love of country music
- Axios Atlanta readers share memories of Jimmy Carter
- What Jimmy Carter loved about Atlanta
- That time Jimmy Carter visited your city
- Remember when: Jimmy Carter saved the Chattahoochee River
- 10 memorable Jimmy Carter quotes
- White House solar panels still power Carter's environmental legacy
- The Southern charm of Jimmy Carter's favorite rocking chair
- How Jimmy Carter rebuilt his reputation post-presidency
- Jimmy Carter's life in photos