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The celebration included balloons, golf carts, American flags, face masks and socially distanced waves from Carter and his wife, Rosalynn.

Carter, who held office from 1977 to 1981, has had a remarkable life. As the son of a Georgia peanut farmer, he grew up not only to be president, but also a Nobel Peace Prize winner and a Grammy Award winner. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The 39th president's milestone birthday comes after a year of serious health challenges. Last year, Carter suffered from various falls and underwent brain surgery. In 2015, he survived cancer.

\"PHOTO:
Luke Usry/The Carter Center via AP
PHOTO: This photo provided by The Carter Center shows former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 in Plains, Ga., celebrating his 96th birthday.
>

After his presidency, Carter mostly remained quiet in politics. But this year, he endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden, recording an address featured during the Democratic National Convention.

One of Carter's most notable accomplishments during his presidency was appointing the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. She would later serve as the second female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. According to the White House, Carter appointed \"record numbers of women, Blacks and Hispanics to Government jobs,\" in addition to focusing on human rights in foreign policy.

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