Peace Corps

50th Anniversary Events and Activities Highlights

September 25, 2011

50th Anniversary Walk of Flags

From Arlington National Cemetery to the Lincoln Memorial
Washington, D.C.

Join RPCV/W and Returned Volunteers from around the world for a walk of flags honoring the 139 Peace Corps countries. Following the program at Arlington National Cemetery, RPCV/W will lead a Walk of Flags from Arlington National Cemetery across Memorial Bridge to the Lincoln Memorial.

September 25, 2011

Arlington Cemetery Special 50th Program

Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Amphitheater
Washington, D.C.

Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams will speak at this event organized by RPCV/W to honor 50 years of the Peace Corps and recognize Volunteers who have given their lives in service. Keynote speakers representing the full spectrum of the Peace Corps experience will share reflections on the future of the community from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

September 23, 2011

Peace Corps Display

Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Washington, D.C.

The Smithsonian National Museum of American History and the Peace Corps will display a sampling of a collection they have developed that represents the historical role of the Peace Corps. This will be informally displayed at the Museum between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Please continue to check back for further details.

September 21, 2011

Youssou N'Dour Concert

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Washington, D.C.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will present a concert celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps, featuring singer and percussionist Youssou N'Dour, one of the most celebrated African musicians in history.
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June 30–July 11, 2011

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

National Mall
Washington, D.C.

Peace Corps will be a featured program at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Learn More

June 10, 2011

UCLA College 2011 Commencement

University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California

Director Williams will deliver UCLA's commencement speech, Los Angeles, Calif.
Press Release

May 18, 2011

Lillian Carter Awards Ceremony

The Carter Center
Atlanta, Georgia

Lillian Carter Awards Ceremony will recognize an outstanding senior returned Peace Corps Volunteer at The Carter Center in Atlanta, Ga.

March 17, 2011

The Early Years of the Peace Corps

National Archives
Washington, D.C.

A panel discussion, The Early Years of the Peace Corps, will be held at the National Archives at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Panelists will discuss the creation and early history of the Peace Corps. Chris Matthews, broadcaster and journalist -- and Peace Corps Volunteer in Swaziland from 1968 to 1970 -- will moderate. Panelists will be award-winning broadcaster and journalist Bill Moyers, former U.S. Ambassador Jack Hood Vaughn, and Senator Harris Wofford – all of whom held leadership roles during the first several years of the agency's existence. Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams will introduce the panel. The discussion will be from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. In addition, Executive Order 10924, signed by President Kennedy to create the Peace Corps, will be displayed. This event is a joint project of the Peace Corps and the National Archives and Records Administration, with promotional support provided by the Foundation for the National Archives.

November 4–5, 2010

Volunteers from Colombia I

Rutgers University
New Brunswick, New Jersy

Deputy Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet spoke and met with the first group of Volunteers from Colombia I at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J.

October 13–16, 2010

National Symposium: The Future of International Service

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Director Williams and other Peace Corps notables joined the University of Michigan to commemorate the 1960 campaign speech by then-Sen. John F. Kennedy, which led to the agency's creation. Events were held in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Press Release

October 12, 2010

50 years of the Peace Corps:
Answering President Kennedy's Call to Service

John F. Kennedy School of Government, Institute of Politics
Boston, Massachusetts

Director Aaron S. Williams participated in a panel discussion at Harvard University titled "50 years of the Peace Corps: Answering President Kennedy's Call to Service." John F. Kennedy School of Government, Institute of Politics, Boston, Mass.
Press Release