Anniversary of the Establishment of the Peace Corps

Published: March 1, 2018

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On this day in 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps to assist developing countries

"Nothing carries the spirit of American idealism and expresses our hopes better and more effectively to the far corners of the earth than the Peace Corps."


The Peace Corps is a volunteer program run by the United States government sending American volunteers to developing countries to assist with health care, education, and other basic human needs. Established by Executive Order 10924 and issued by President John F. Kennedy on March 1, 1961, the program was announced by a televised broadcast on March 2, 1961. Then with authorization by Congress on September 21, 1961, the Peace Corps Act was passed. President Roosevelt signing P.L. 480

The Peace Corps' Mission Is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:

  • To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.

  • To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.

  • To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

This year, Peace Corps week is February 25 - March 3. During this week the Peace Corps community acknowledges and celebrates the way that Peace Corps makes a difference at home and abroad and renews its commitment to service. This year's Peace Corps Week theme is "Highlighting Home: What does home, family, and community look like in your Peace Corps country?", and they are celebrating host families and places that volunteers call home during their service.


Legislation

Federal Register Volume 26, Issue 40 (March 2, 1961)

View Executive Order 10924 (Establishment of the Peace Corps) in the March 2, 1961 issue of the Federal Register, now available on govinfo.
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22 U.S.C. 34 - THE PEACE CORPS
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75 Stat. 612 - An Act to provide for a Peace Corps to help the peoples of interested countries and areas in meeting their needs for skilled manpower
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Resources