Wednesday, March 1, 1961: The Peace Corps

By Executive Order 10924, President Kennedy establishes the Peace Corps "for the training and service abroad of men and women of the United States in new programs of assistance to nations and areas of the world." The volunteer program had been set in motion by Kennedy's speech at the University of Michigan on October 14, 1960. (Click here for entry.) On March 4, Kennedy appoints Sargent Shriver (left) as director. The trial program would be approved and funded by Congress on September 22.

* Summary (from the National Archives): @

* Summary (from The Presidential Timeline of the Twentieth Century): @

* Executive Order: @ and @

* Kennedy transcript and video: @

* March 13 newsreel: @

* Peace Corps website: @

* Peace Corps Digital Library: @

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