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."
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.