Through the Decades: 1960s

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PCVs take part in training in Puerto Rico before heading to Pakistan.
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Peace Corps training in Hawaii in the 1960s.
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Peace Corps training in Hawaii in the 1960s.
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Peace Corps training in Hawaii in the 1960s.
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Peace Corps training in Hawaii in the 1960s.
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Peace Corps training in Hawaii in the 1960s.
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Pamela Cohelan stands with her visiting father, Congressman Jeffery Cohelan on the beach near her barrio in the Philippines. Circa 1964.
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In September, 1961, President Kennedy signed the Peace Corps Bill. After signing, the President hands the signing pen to R. Sargent Shriver, who became the first Director of the Peace Corps. Senator Hubert Humphrey and others observe. White House, Oval Office. Photo credit: Abbie Rowe, National Park Service / John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library, Boston.
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PCV Lynette Parkhurst teaches English to the professionals at SENA (National Agricultural Learning Center) in order to aid them in reading technical manuals for American equipment written only in English.
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PCVs Terry and Sherry Johnson set up their bird net in the Tayrona National Park.
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PCV Benjamin Parkhurst works at the Institute of Tropical Fish Culture in Buga where he helps determine the best fish culture methods to benefit farmers.
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PCV Charlotte Lee Pinsky talks with a friend in Berruecos, Narino, Colombia, where she works with a Colombian nutritional agency dealing with food programs for mothers, supervising school restaurants, and teaching macramé and drawing classes to children.
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The first group of Peace Corps Volunteers departs from National Airport in Washington, D.C. en route to Ghana.
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PCV Kenneth Baer teaching in Ghana in 1961.
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On October 14, 1960, then Senator John F. Kennedy speaks to a group of students at the University of Michigan on a campaign stop. Photo Credit: Frederick L. Shippey, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston.
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President Kennedy and Sargent Shriver speak about the Peace Corps to press in the White House garden.
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Former Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen in traditional dress during her Peace Corps service in Tunisia.
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Lillian Carter speaks with men in India, where she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
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A group of Peace Corps Volunteers serving in Colombia as PE teachers and coaches at an American Embassy reception for the Colombia IV physical education/coaching group shortly after arrival in January, 1963.
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The Colombia IV basketball coaches traveled to most of the major Colombian cities in 1963, conducting teacher/coach training clinics during the day and playing games against local and regional teams at night.
October 14, 1960

In a 2 a.m. campaign speech, then-Senator John F. Kennedy challenges University of Michigan students to contribute two years of their lives to help people in countries of the developing world.

“How many of you who are going to be doctors, are willing to spend your days in Ghana?” Kennedy asked, and then stated, “I think Americans are willing to contribute. But the effort must be far greater than we have ever made in the past.”

March 1, 1961

President Kennedy signs Executive Order 10924, establishing the Peace Corps.

June 1961

Tanganyika I, Colombia I, and Ghana I begin training for Peace Corps service. Peace Corps training activities are conducted at U.S. colleges, universities, and private agencies. Many trainees head to Puerto Rico, the Rocky Mountains, and other locations for field-training activities

August 30, 1961

The first group of Peace Corps Volunteers, Ghana I, arrive at Accra Airport and, shortly afterward, begin their service as teachers.

September 22, 1961

Congress passes the Peace Corps Act, giving it the mandate to “promote world peace and friendship” through a mission statement that the Peace Corps continues to adhere to and promote.

September 1964

National Geographic magazine features Peace Corps Volunteers on its cover.

June 1966

More than 15,000 Volunteers are serving in the field. Historically, this is the highest number of Peace Corps Volunteers serving at one time.