Author Archives: beccasolnit

Adlai Stevenson at the UN

Posted on October 22, 2010 by beccasolnit

When President John F. Kennedy appointed Adlai Stevenson as the United States ambassador to the United Nations in 1961, the former governor of Illinois and two-time presidential candidate was disappointed.  Stevenson had hoped to the lead the new administration’s foreign … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, North America | Leave a comment

Sargent Shriver and the Creation of the Peace Corps

Posted on October 22, 2010 by beccasolnit

On September 22, 1961 President John F. Kennedy signed the Peace Corps Act, which officially created the organization known for sending young Americans to help developing nations.  While most textbooks credit President Kennedy with the formation of the Peace Corps, … Continue reading →

Posted in North America | Leave a comment

Bound By Numbers: Robert McNamara Remembers

Posted on October 22, 2010 by beccasolnit

Robert S. McNamara served as the Secretary of Defense from 1961 to 1968 during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.  In 1967 McNamara changed his position on the war in Vietnam and began advocating a draw down of American troops in … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, North America | Leave a comment