Peace Corps Day

Categories:: Appreciation
Tags:: American Educational
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every March 1
Holiday emoji:: 🌎

Peace Corps Day arrives every March 1, celebrating the dedicated volunteers of the Peace Corps program. This day honors their commitment to fostering global peace, mutual understanding, and sustainable development in communities worldwide. Reflect on their impactful service, explore ways to support returned volunteers, and learn about the program’s enduring legacy.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Hero
History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Expected Peace Corps Day Deals

Peace Corps Day is less about commercial deals and more about recognizing service and encouraging support for global development initiatives. Many organizations offer career development resources or networking opportunities for returned volunteers. Consider supporting non-profits like the National Peace Corps Association, which champions the Peace Corps community. Companies committed to global citizenship, such as Patagonia or TOMS, often highlight their social impact initiatives around this time. We will update this page with confirmed live appreciation programs as March 1 approaches.

Platform Guide for Peace Corps Day

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #PeaceCorpsDay. Share stories of returned volunteers or career opportunities in global service.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #PeaceCorpsDay. Highlight the impact of Peace Corps volunteers and share news about global development.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #PeaceCorpsDay. Share personal reflections or photos from your Peace Corps experience or support for the cause.

Peace Corps Day Hero

John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy, the 35th U.S. President, established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, through executive order. His vision was to promote peace and friendship by sending American volunteers to assist developing nations. This initiative embodied his call for public service and global cooperation, leaving a lasting legacy of international goodwill and cross-cultural understanding.

History of Peace Corps Day

President John F. Kennedy established Peace Corps as a U.S. agency of volunteers on March 1, 1961. Then on September 22, 1961, the U.S. Congress approved the Peace Corps Act. Kennedy’s brother-in-law, Sargent Shriver was the first director of the Peace Corps. The program has six project sectors which are, Agriculture, Environment, Community Economic Development, Health, Education, and Youth in Development.

Walter Reuther who was the President of the United Auto Workers proposed in 1950 that the U.S. establish a voluntary agency for American youth to be sent around the world to perform humanitarian objectives. Although Kennedy acknowledged the creation of the Peace Corps, the first initiative came from Senator Hubert H. Humphrey Jr. He introduced the first bill to create the Peace Corps in 1957 which was three years before Kennedy.

Those applying as volunteers of the Peace Corps will go through an interview process and they must be at least 18 years old, a citizen of the U.S., and they must apply six to nine months before they want to leave. Applicants can only apply to one placement per year and they have the choice to narrow down their application by their country of choice. The placement is usually sorted through the six project sectors. Once they are selected as volunteers, they are then expected to serve in the foreign country for two years before which they must have received three months of training. Before 2014, the application process took up to one year.

Peace Corps Day timeline

1957

The First Bill

The first bill to create the Peace Corps is passed.

1961

Approved by Congress

Congress approves the Peace Corps Act on September 21.

1971

Peace Corps Join ACTION

President Richard Nixon brings the Peace Corp under the umbrella agency ACTION in July.

1976

Murder in Peace Corps

A volunteer murders another volunteer named Deborah Gardner.

2015

Partnership With Other Organizations

The Peace Corps forms a partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (U.S.A.I.D.) to implement the Let Girls Learn initiative.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Peace Corps Day

Local businesses can honor Peace Corps Day by recognizing the contributions of returned volunteers in their communities. Consider offering special discounts or appreciation events for those who have served. Companies with global operations can highlight their commitment to international development or social responsibility, perhaps by matching donations to organizations supporting Peace Corps initiatives or international aid.

Peace Corps Day FAQs

When is Peace Corps Day?

In 2027, Peace Corps Day is observed on Monday, March 1, providing a fresh opportunity to celebrate the enduring legacy of American volunteers serving abroad.

How many countries has the Peace Corps served?

The Peace Corps has had a presence in 142 nations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe, continually adapting its programs to meet evolving global needs.

What skills do Peace Corps volunteers gain?

Through their immersive service, volunteers acquire practical skills in project management, problem-solving, and adaptability, making them highly sought-after professionals in various sectors upon their return.

What is the primary mission of the Peace Corps?

At its core, the Peace Corps aims to foster world peace and friendship by providing technical assistance, promoting cultural exchange, and building capacity in communities around the globe.

Peace Corps Day Activities

Attend a peace corp program
If you know of any Peace Corps program that will be taking place in your locality, you can attend and even invite a returned volunteer to share their stories and experiences with the group. You will learn a lot there.
Share your story
If you are a returned Peace Corps member you can share your stories and experiences with an audience. There are several programs that you can register with to be a speaker.
Become a volunteer
You can also register to be a volunteer. This way you will get first-hand experience.

5 Interesting Facts About The Peace Corps

Banned from military duties
Former volunteers of the Peace Corps are not allowed to join any military intelligence for four years after serving in the Peace Corps.
A lot of volunteers
There are a total of 7,334 volunteers and trainees.
The most served region
The region that has been served the most is in Africa.
It has served a lot of countries
As of 2018, the Peace Corps had been hosted in 141 countries and it had 235,000 volunteers.
Facing criticism
They have been criticized for not responding to the sexual violence that many of its female volunteers face.

Why We Love Peace Corps Day

It is dedicated to helping other countries
The Peace Corps' main objective is to provide development to underdeveloped countries. They help these countries catch up with the rest of the world.
It is a good way to gain experience
As a volunteer for the Peace Corps, you will gain a lot of experience and exposure that will benefit you in the future. You will be equipped with more knowledge and skills than someone who didn’t volunteer.
You form an open mind
After visiting different countries and experiencing different cultures, your mind will be more open to accepting new things that might have ordinarily been out of the norm for you. This open mind will enable you to recognize opportunities that ordinarily you wouldn’t have.