Today in History: Jimmy Carter wins Nobel Peace Prize & 10 Other October 11 Events

Former US President Jimmy Carter wins the Nobel Peace Prize on October 11 2002 "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development."

Carter, a peanut farmer from Georgia, served one term as U.S. president between 1977 and 1981. One of his key achievements as president was mediating the peace talks between Israel and Egypt in 1978. 

The Nobel Committee had wanted to give Carter the prize that year for his efforts, along with Anwar Sadat and Menachim Begin, but was prevented from doing so by a technicality—he had not been nominated by the official deadline.

After he left office, Carter and his wife Rosalynn created the Atlanta-based Carter Center in 1982 to advance human rights and alleviate human suffering. Since 1984, they have worked with Habitat for Humanity to build homes and raise awareness of homelessness. 

OTHER EVENTS IN HISTORY ON THIS DAY:

AFRICA

1899

Boer War begins in South Africa.

ART, LITERATURE, AND FILM HISTORY

1971

John Lennon's "Imagine" is released.

1975

Bruce Springsteen scores his first pop hit with "Born to Run".

1975

"Saturday Night Live" debuts on NBC.

COLD WAR

1986

Soviet-U.S. arms control talks break down over President Reagan's "Star Wars" initiative.

RELIGION

1962

Pope John XXIII opens Vatican II.

SPACE EXPLORATION

1968

Apollo 7 launched.

U.S. PRESIDENTS

1975

Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham marry.

VIETNAM WAR

1954

Viet Minh take control in the north.

WORLD WAR I

1915

Bulgaria enters World War I.