Click on the squares in the timeline below for information on our history of directors since the agency's establishment in 1961.
	On March 1, 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order establishing the Peace Corps. Three days later, Shriver became its first director. Deployment was rapid: Volunteers arrived in five countries during 1961. In just under six years, Shriver developed programs in 55 countries with more than 14,500 Volunteers.

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Download a Peace Corps Fact Sheet (PDF) for easy printing.

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