07/07/1946 AD married

Their families were already acquainted when Rosalynn first dated Jimmy Carter in 1945 while he was attending the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. She became attracted to him after seeing a picture of him in his Annapolis uniform.

The two were riding in the back seat of the car of Ruth Carter's boyfriend when Jimmy surprised Rosalynn by kissing her. This was the first time that Rosalynn had ever allowed a boy to do so on the first date.

Rosalynn agreed to marry Jimmy in February 1946 when she went to Annapolis with his parents. The two scheduled their marriage to take place in July and kept the arrangement secret. Rosalynn resisted telling her mother she had chosen to marry instead of continuing her education.

The couple had four children:

• John William "Jack" (b. 1947)
• James Earl "Chip" III (b. 1950)
• Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" (b. 1952)
• Amy Lynn (b. 1967)

Due to Jimmy's military duties, the first three were born in different parts of the country and away from Georgia. During those duties, Rosalynn watched over and enjoyed the independence she had gained from raising the children on her own.

However, their relationship faced its first major crisis when she opposed Jimmy's resigning to return to Plains in 1953 after he learned his father was dying. Jimmy reflected that she "avoided talking to me as much as possible" as a result of his decision and would interact with him through their children.

They were fans of the New York Yankees until the Braves moved to Atlanta.

They said they never went to bed arguing with each other.

Plains, GA

Lattitude: 32.0336° N
Longitude: 84.3933° W
Region: North America

Modern Day United States

Events in 1946 MORE