Jimmy Carter admirers across generations celebrate the former president's 99th birthday in Atlanta

Kevin and Ursula Jones take a photo together in front of a video screen while attending the celebration for President Jimmy Carter's 99th birthday held at The Carter Center in Atlanta on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)

J. Edgar Hoover became the federal government’s top cop. Ellis Island was curtailed as a portal for immigrants to the United States. France hosted the first Winter Olympics. And a baby in rural Georgia became the first future American president born in a hospital.

The year was 1924, and that tiny fellow in Plains was James Earl Carter Jr., known as “Jimmy” from the start.

The 39th president was celebrated Saturday at his presidential library and museum ahead of his 99th birthday on Sunday. The party was moved up a day to ensure it wouldn’t be canceled by a potential federal government shutdown that Congress narrowly averted Saturday evening with a deal sent to President Joe Biden for his signature.