He established the Peace Corps in 1961

By Executive Order 10924, President John F. Kennedy founded the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961. It was a program in which American volunteers aided developing countries in areas including education, farming, health care, and building. By March 1963, the organization had grown to 5,000 members, and by the following year, it had grown to 10,000. Around 220,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps since its inception in 2016, serving in 140 countries. Its projects include eradicating malaria in Africa and responding to crises such as the slaughter in Rwanda in 1994.

By the end of 1963, there were 7,000 volunteers serving in 44 countries. The Peace Corps reached its pinnacle in 1966, with over 15,000 volunteers serving in 52 nations. Budget cuts later reduced the number of Peace Corps volunteers, but today more than 7,000 Peace Corps volunteers are serving in over 60 countries. Since 1961, more than 240,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps, serving in 142 nations.