On this day in 1960 Democratic Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy announced his plan for a Peace Corps if he is elected POTUS. He was elected POTUS beating Tricky Dicky and he followed through with his promise. The Peace Corp began on March 1st, 1961. The first director of the Peace Corps was Sargent Shriver- the brother-in-law of President Kennedy

The stated mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance; helping people outside the United States to understand American culture; and helping Americans to understand the cultures of other countries. The work is generally related to social and economic development.