Friday, October 14, 1960: Beginnings of the Peace Corps

Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kennedy makes a middle-of-the-night appearance at the University of Michigan. He challenges the students to serve their country and help promote peace by taking their energy and abilities to less-developed nations -- an idea that would evolve into the creation of the Peace Corps. Kennedy would first use the phrase in a Nov. 2 speech.

* Summary and transcript (from Peace Corps website): @

* More about the event (from Michigan Today): @

* "Celebrating JFK's Peace Corps Speech" (from Michigan Radio): @
* Excerpt from "John F. Kennedy: A Biography": @

* Transcript of Nov. 2 speech: @

* Entry from "Safire's Political Dictionary": @

---