-
Jimmy Carter was elected President of the United States with 297 electoral votes to Ford's 241
-
In his first speech on foreign affairs, Carter emphasizes foreign policy for the U.S. characterized by "constant decency" and reaffirms his committment to the defense of human rights.
-
At Camp David, the presidential retreat outside Washington, DC, Carter mediated a peace treaty between President Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel. War had existed between Egypt and Israel since the establishment of Israel in 1948. The treaty ended the state of war between the two countries and called for the establishment of diplomatic relations.
-
Inflation had soared to 13% and unemployment was ranging from 6% to 10%. These are two of the reasons that Carter was not reelected.
-
SALT II was passed to continue the Nixon-Kissinger policy in 1979, but was later repealed when the Russians invaded Afghanistan.
-
Carter signed the U.S. Department of Education Organization Act and appointed Shirley Hufstedler as the newly established agency's secretary.
-
Armed Muslim militants broke into the American embassy in Tehran, Iran and took everyone hostage in the building. It was retaliation for letting the shah receive medical treatment in the U.S.
-
Carter loses reelection in the 1980 election to Ronald Reagan.
-
On this day, President Carter ordered a boycott of the 1980 olympic games due to the Soviet Union invading Afghanistan.
-
Carter ordered a team of marine commandos to be flown into Iran in Sea Stallion helicopters. Several helicopters broke down, eight commandos were killed and the raid was a failure.
