mar 1, 1961 - Kennedy Establishes Peace Corps

Description:

President Kennedy welcomed the inaugural group of volunteers at the White House on August 28, 1961, to give them a personal farewell before their departure to Africa. Congress approved the Peace Corps as a permanent federal agency within the State Department, and Kennedy signed the legislation on September 22, 1961. Through the Peace Corps, President John F. Kennedy sought to encourage mutual understanding between Americans and people of other nations and cultures. One of the signature achievements of President John F. Kennedy was creating the Peace Corps, a new agency and a new opportunity for Americans to serve their country and their world. The creation of the Peace Corps dates back to an unexpected moment and an impromptu speech in 1960. A hallmark of the Kennedy administration, the Peace Corps sent American citizens to developing countries to volunteer in the struggle against poverty, illiteracy, and disease.

History (peace corps)
The Peace Corps | JFK Library.

Added to timeline:

Date: