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Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter

Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter
Usage Conditions Apply
Artist
George Tames, 1919 - 1994
Sitter
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr., 14 Jul 1913 - 26 Dec 2006
Richard Milhous Nixon, 9 Jan 1913 - 22 Apr 1994
Ronald Wilson Reagan, 6 Feb 1911 - 5 Jun 2004
James Earl Carter, Jr., born 1 Oct 1924
Date
1981
Type
Photograph
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
Image/Sheet: 27.9cm x 35.5 cm (11" x 14")
Topic
Exterior
Equipment\Sound Devices\Microphone
James Earl Carter, Jr.: Male
James Earl Carter, Jr.: Literature\Writer
James Earl Carter, Jr.: Natural Resource Occupations\Agriculturist\Farmer
James Earl Carter, Jr.: Military and Intelligence\Navy\Officer
James Earl Carter, Jr.: Politics and Government\President of US
James Earl Carter, Jr.: Politics and Government\Governor\Georgia
James Earl Carter, Jr.: Society and Social Change\Administrator\Charity administrator\Charity founder
James Earl Carter, Jr.: Politics and Government\State Senator\Georgia
James Earl Carter, Jr.: Nobel Prize
James Earl Carter, Jr.: Presidential Medal of Freedom
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Male
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Law and Crime\Lawyer
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Politics and Government\Vice-President of US
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Military and Intelligence\Navy\Officer
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Education and Scholarship\Educator\Teacher
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Politics and Government\President of US
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Politics and Government\US Congressman\Michigan
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Presidential Medal of Freedom
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.: Congressional Gold Medal
Richard Milhous Nixon: Male
Richard Milhous Nixon: Law and Crime\Lawyer
Richard Milhous Nixon: Literature\Writer
Richard Milhous Nixon: Politics and Government\Vice-President of US
Richard Milhous Nixon: Military and Intelligence\Navy\Officer
Richard Milhous Nixon: Politics and Government\President of US
Richard Milhous Nixon: Politics and Government\US Senator\California
Richard Milhous Nixon: Politics and Government\US Congressman\California
Ronald Wilson Reagan: Male
Ronald Wilson Reagan: Literature\Writer
Ronald Wilson Reagan: Performing Arts\Performer\Actor
Ronald Wilson Reagan: Politics and Government\President of US
Ronald Wilson Reagan: Politics and Government\Governor\California
Ronald Wilson Reagan: Journalism and Media\Broadcast journalist\Sportscaster
Ronald Wilson Reagan: Presidential Medal of Freedom
Ronald Wilson Reagan: Congressional Gold Medal
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Frances O. Tames
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© George Tames/The New York Times/Redux
Object number
NPG.94.161
Exhibition Label
This photograph captures the first time that four U.S. presidents gathered in the White House at once. They came together in order to make a plan to represent the United States during an important ally’s funeral. On October 6, 1981, Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, the author of significant peace negotiations with Israel, was assassinated during a parade in Cairo. Sitting President Ronald Reagan had survived an assassination attempt earlier that year, and government security agencies recommended that he not attend the funeral. Instead, the U.S. was represented by a delegation of the three former presidents Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, and Richard Nixon. Despite their combative election campaigns and differing ideologies, the presidents ultimately agreed to come together to honor Sadat. Although they made a show of solidarity, photographers noticed Carter’s discomfort during the send-off. Carter, who considered Sadat a close friend, viewed Reagan’s decision not to attend as cowardly.
Esta fotografía captura la primera vez que cuatro presidentes de los Estados Unidos se reunieron en la Casa Blanca en un mismo momento. La reunión tenía por objetivo trazar un plan para representar a los Estados Unidos durante el funeral de un impor- tante aliado. El 6 de octubre de 1981, el presidente egipcio Anwar Sadat, autor de importantes nego- ciaciones de paz con Israel, fue asesinado durante un desfile en El Cairo. El entonces presidente Ronald Reagan había sobrevivido un intento de asesinato unos meses antes aquel mismo año, y las agencias de seguridad del gobierno recomendaban que no asistiera al funeral. En cambio, los Estados Unidos fueron repre- sentados por una delegación de tres expresidentes: Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford y Richard Nixon. Pese a sus hostiles campañas electorales y a sus diferencias ideológicas, los presidentes terminaron acordando actuar en conjunto en honor a Sadat. Sin embargo, a pesar de su muestra de solidaridad, los fotógrafos notaron a un Carter incómodo durante la despedida. Carter, amigo cercano de Sadat, consideraba la decisión de Reagan de no asistir al funeral como una muestra de cobardía.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Location
Currently not on view