Peace Corps Established

Verified
Date March 01, 1961
Type National
Author htristian82
Location Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Categories
Political & Governance

Event Details

On March 1, 1961, President Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order. It promoted world peace and friendship by sending Americans to serve in developing nations.


On September 22, 1961, Congress approved the legislation that formally authorized the Peace Corps. Goals of the Peace Corps included:

  1. helping the people of interested countries and areas meet their needs for trained workers;
  2. helping promote a better understanding of Americans in countries where volunteers served; and
  3. helping promote a better understanding of peoples of other nations on the part of Americans.

Sources