When was the Peace Corps started?

The Peach Corps was established by President John F. Kennedy on March 1, 1961 and became a permanent United States government agency under The Department of State in the following September. Its aim, in the words of President Kennedy, was to create, “a pool trained American men and women sent overseas by the United States government to help foreign countries meet their need power”.

Volunteers for the Peace Corps must be United States citizens and at least 18 years old. An accepted volunteer is assigned to a project requested by a foreign country and prepares for his task by studying for three months at a United States college or university. During this time he learns the language, history, politics and customs of the country to which he is to be sent. When he goes overseas, he works directly with the inhabitants of the country, speaking their language, sharing their lives  and receiving a living allowance comparable to that earned by the people among whom he is working.

The normal term of service is two years. In 1961 about 900 volunteers served in 16 different countries of Latin America, Asia and Africa and the number has risen steadily each year. Two years after its foundation the corps won the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the $10,000 prize which is the Asian equivalent to the Nobel Peace Prize. This had never before been won by a non-Asian group.