The nation mourns the loss of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Sunday evening at the age of 100. President Joe Biden has declared January 9 as a National Day of Mourning, and US stock markets, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq, will close on that day to honor Carter’s lifetime of service. Lynn Martin, President of the NYSE, said, “The NYSE will respectfully honor President Carter’s lifetime of service to our nation by closing our markets on the National Day of Mourning.” Tal Cohen, President of Nasdaq, echoed the sentiment, stating, “We mourn the loss of President Carter and will be closing our U.S. markets during the National Day of Mourning to celebrate his life and honor his legacy.”
The closure of stock exchanges for presidential funerals is a tradition that dates back to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in 1865.
The exchanges have also closed during national emergencies, such as the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. President Carter’s family has not disclosed the cause of his death.
Nation mourns Carter’s impactful service
He spent his final months in hospice care in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. Public observances will be held in Atlanta and Washington, with a private burial ceremony in Plains. Carter, a former governor of Georgia, served as president from 1977 to 1981.
His notable achievements include brokering a historic peace agreement between Israel and Egypt, which remains in place today. Despite the challenges faced by his administration, Carter dedicated his post-presidential life to humanitarian efforts and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Following his death, Carter’s son Chip remarked, “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love.”
As a mark of respect for President Carter, flags across the United States will fly at half-staff over the next month.
