Tag Archives: skilled volunteers

This Day in the Yesteryear: PEACE CORPS ESTABLISHED (1961)


Peace Corps Established (1961)

In his inaugural address, US President John F. Kennedy famously tasked Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Months later, he gave them the opportunity. Kennedy created the Peace Corps to promote diplomacy and counter foreign stereotypes of Americans by sending skilled volunteers to serve abroad, and since 1961, more than 200,000 people have served in nearly 140 countries. What postcard sparked a controversy in the program’s first year? More… Discuss