National Day of Mourning over Jimmy Carter's death: Date, school closures, gun salutes and everything to know

US President Joe Biden has announced a state funeral for the former prez, Jimmy Carter, to be held on January 9, 2025. Biden also declared January 9 a National Day of Mourning throughout the United States of America.

The upcoming 30 days from the day of Carter’s passing, i.e., December 29, the flag of the United States will be flown at half-staff to display the public sorrow. The official statement of President Joe Biden, released by the White House, reads,

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, in honor and tribute to the memory of President James Earl Carter, Jr., and as an expression of public sorrow, do hereby direct that the flag of the United States be displayed at half-staff at the White House and on all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions for a period of 30 days from the day of his death.”

The same will be observed across all “embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities,” including “all military facilities and naval vessels and stations” of the US in foreign countries.

Biden has also urged the US citizens to visit their respective places of worship to honor the memory of President Jimmy Carter,

“I call on the American people to assemble on that day in their respective places of worship, there to pay homage to the memory of President James Earl Carter, Jr. I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance.”

The preparations for a state funeral have most likely begun, with many plans to be executed in the coming days. The Carter family and the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region will soon announce schedules for public observances, other events, and motorcade routes.

Will President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral involve gun

salutes?

Neither President Joe Biden nor the Carter family have mentioned the ‘gun salutes’ in their respective statements. However, a 21-gun salute is traditionally a part of the US presidential funeral proceedings.

Thus, customary gun salutes and other military traditions will likely be a part of Jimmy Carter’s state funeral. Furthermore, the family of the deceased former president might announce other details sooner.

Will National Day Of Mourning over Jimmy Carter's death be a federal holiday?

There hasn’t been any confirmation about the forthcoming National Day of Mourning being a federal holiday. Hence, January 9, 2025, should not be considered a federal holiday unless announced otherwise.

Moreover, there is no surety that schools will be shut down on the day of the state funeral. The local bodies or state authorities will notify the students in case of school closures ahead of the National Day of Mourning.

39th US President Jimmy Carter has been survived by his four children

Jimmy Carter, the longest-lived US President, celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this year. On December 29, 2024, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate passed away after almost two years of hospice care in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. Earlier this year, Carter was pictured voting during the 2024 presidential elections.

His death was announced by his son Chip, who was also quoted saying,

"My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love. My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”

The former democrat president has been survived by his four children – Amy, Chip, Jack, and Jeff – alongside 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandkids. Carter’s wife and former US First Lady, Rosalynn Carter, died in November 2023. She was buried at the Carter Family house at 209 Woodland Drive in Plains, Georgia. Following his death, the 39th US prez will be buried next to his wife.