War on Poverty Day

War on Poverty Day brings up a serious topic that everyone should pay attention to. About a billion people in the world live below the poverty line. Many of them do not have their own homes and are on the street. Today in the US, there are events that address this problem and discuss how to solve it.

History

In 1964, the 36th President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson, suddenly announced an “unconditional war on poverty.” Perhaps a certain number of people took the statement as an election ploy, but they were wrong! Even his opponents did not criticize the provisions—they saw that they really worked for the good of the state.

The reform was called the “Great Society.” It was aimed at eradicating poverty and racial segregation. What has been done: solving transportation issues, equalizing women and men, giving Black Americans the right to vote, introducing social benefits, creating subsidy programs for low-income families, and transforming the medical and educational spheres.

The program was a resounding success. Why did it have to be closed? The answer is simple: America entered the Vietnam War. The event did not have the best effect on the reforms, the budget was not enough, and many programs ceased to function. Perhaps this law does not reflect the current state of affairs, but the message is different—we need to work on the provisions to make the world a better place.

Interesting facts

Did you know that:

• India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Congo are among the poorest countries in the world;
• about 20 thousand children die because of poverty daily;
• over a billion people live without electricity;
• Poverty is also a problem in developed countries. North Carolina has a third of the poor areas;
• every 7th person on the planet is starving right now.

How to celebrate

Volunteer on War on Poverty Day—learn about organizations dedicated to helping people. Make a donation to a charitable foundation. Learn more about the President’s reforms: think, would they solve the actual problems of today?

When is War on Poverty Day in 2025?

War on Poverty Day is observed on January 8 each year.

Observations