The Peace Corps
The Peace Corps Becomes Law
After signing the law that creates the Peace Corps, President John F. Kennedy hands the signing pen to Sargent Shriver, who was appointed its first director in September 1961. (Photo by Abbie Rowe in Washington D.C., courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.)
Kennedy And Shriver Meet The Press
As part of his meeting with President Kennedy, Shriver joined the president for a session with press reporters and photographers. (Source unknown.)
A Call To Service
Sargent Shriver talks to a group of potential Peace Corps Volunteers in 1961. (Source unknown.)
Shriver with Kennedy
Sarge speaking to President John F. Kennedy during the Government Talent Search. (Photo courtesy of the Peace Corps Media Library.)
Talking with the President
Sargent Shriver talks with JFK in the halls of the White House. (Source unknown.)
Shriver and Kennedy
Sarge walking with President Kennedy through the West Wing Colonnade during the ceremony for the first group of Peace Corps volunteers. August 1961. (Photo by Abbie Rowe in Washington D.C., courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.)
Signing the Executive Order
Sargent Shriver stands with President John F. Kennedy on March 1, 1961 as he signs the executive order to establish the Peace Corps. (Photo courtesy of witnify.com.)
The Peace Corps Team
Sargent Shriver discusses the development of the Peace Corps with staff. (Source unknown.)
Talking Peace
Sargent Shriver discusses the Peace Corps with new volunteers. (Source unknown.)
Destination: Africa
Sargent Shriver, appointed the first director of the Peace Corps, leads the first group of volunteers to a meeting with President Kennedy at the White House. The volunteers were heading to Ghana and Tanganyika in Africa. (Photo by Rowland Scherman. Source: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum)
Shriver in Guinea
Sarge greets the people of Guinea alongside President Ahmed Sekou Toure. June 1961. (Photo courtesy of the Peace Corps Media Library.)
Shriver with President Sekou Toure
Sarge met with President Sekou Toure of Guinea on his eight nation tour. June 1961. (Photo courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.)
Shriver in Liberia
Peace Corps Director attends the White Heart Ceremony in Kpaiye, Liberia. The volunteer in the picture is Barbara Doutrich, and volunteer Bob McAndrews and George Radcliff were also stationed in this location. April 1963. (Photo courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.)
Shriver with Volunteers
Sarge shakes hands with Peace Corps volunteers abroad. (Photo courtesy of the Peace Corps Media Library.)
Destination: Nepal
Sarge visited many of the places where the Peace Corps operated. Here, he is welcomed in Nepal. (Source unknown.)
Shriver in Nepal
Sarge touring with Peace Corps volunteers in Nepal. January 1964. (Photo courtesy of the Peace Corps Media Library.)
Donkey Driver
Sarge takes the reins as he guides a donkey-led carriage through Nepal. (Photo by Paul Conklin.)
On The Road
Sarge walking with locals on a dirt path in Nepal. (Photo by Paul Conklin.)
In Dharan
Sarge stands with locals in front of buildings in Dharan, Nepal. (Photo by Paul Conklin.)
In Pokhara
Sarge entertains some local kids while visiting Pokhara, Nepal. (Photo by Paul Conklin.)
Shriver on Royal Palace Grounds
Sarge standing with Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, King of Nepal, at the Nayaranhiti Royal Palace in Kathmandu. (Photo by Paul Conklin.)
Destination: Burma
Shriver tours Burma. (Source unknown.)
Shriver in Burma
Burmese Prime Minister U Nu greets Peace Corps Director Sargent Shriver, USIS photo, Rangoon, Burma, May 1961. United States Information Service. (Photo courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.)
Digging In
Sargent Shriver enjoys a meal in Burma. (Source unknown.)
International Living
After graduating from the Canterbury School, Sarge spent the summer of 1934 abroad in Stuttgart, Germany as part of a program called the Experiment in International Living. This early experience living abroad significantly influenced Sarge's later work as Director of the Peace Corps. Living in Germany during the rise of Nazism also informed Sarge's perspective on US participation in World War II, eventually leading him to join the Navy. (Source unknown.)
Checkpoint Charlie
Shriver inspects Checkpoint Charlie during his visit to Berlin in 1964. The barrier was part of a dividing line between East Berlin, controlled by Communist East Germany, and West Berlin, controlled by the United States, Great Britain and France. (Source unknown.)
Destination: Israel
During a trip to Jerusalem, Peace Corps Director Sargent Shriver visits a refugee camp near Jericho, where he later joined in a game of ball with local children. (Source unknown.)
Destination: Iran
Shriver washes his face at a water pump in Tehran during his visit to Iran in 1964. (Photo by Paul Conklin.)
Destination: Turkey
Shriver meets with student nurses in Konya, Turkey, in 1964. (Source unknown.)
Destination: Turkey
The classroom of Peace Corps Volunteer Eric Olsen, a Volunteer English teacher from Hockessin, Delaware, gets a visit from Olsen's boss, Shriver, in Sivas, Turkey. (Source unknown.)
Destination: Pakistan
Shriver's travels took him to the Khyber Pass, which connects Pakistan and Afghanistan. January 1964. (Photo courtesy of the Peace Corps Media Library.)
Extending a Hand
Sargent Shriver meets a local man while on tour in Pakistan. (Source unknown.)
Peace Corps Directors
Sargent Shriver, the first Peace Corps director, poses with Peace Corps Director Loret Miller Ruppe, who was the tenth director. (Source unknown.)
Peace Corps Building Dedication
Former Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan, First Lady Hillary Clinton, Sargent Shriver and Queen Noor cut the ribbon at the Peace Corps building dedication in 1998. (Source unknown.)
Peace Corps Building Dedication
Shriver and First Lady Hillary Clinton at the Peace Corps headquarters building dedication in 1998. (Source unknown.)
