Ep. 55: When America Declared War on Poverty—and Nearly Won

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson launched an ambitious campaign to eliminate poverty in America. The Economic Opportunity Act became the centerpiece of this "War on Poverty," creating programs that transformed millions of lives—and some that still exist today. From Job Corps training centers to Head Start preschools, from VISTA volunteers to Community Action Programs, this legislation represented one of the most comprehensive efforts to address economic inequality in American history.This episode of "Signed Into Law" explores how this landmark social welfare legislation came to be, the programs it created, and its lasting impact on American society. Did the War on Poverty succeed? The answer is more complex—and more fascinating—than you might think. Subscribe now to never miss an episode as we uncover the laws that shaped America.This episode includes AI-generated content.