Alex Wong, Getty ImagesU.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor for civilians in the United States of America.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty ImagesU.S. President Barack Obama (R) awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Microsoft founder Bill Gates (L) and his wife Melinda Gates, who have donated billions of dollars globally to promote health and fight poverty, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. Obama presented the medal to 19 living and two posthumous pioneers in science, sports, public service, human rights, politics and the arts.- Alex Wong, Getty ImagesU.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former NBA star Michael Jordan during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor for civilians in the United States of America.
- Alex Wong, Getty ImagesU.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Bill Gates during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor for civilians in the United States of America.
- Chip Somodevilla, Getty ImagesPopular music singer, songwriter and rock and roll legend Bruce Springsteen wears his Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to him by U.S. President Barack Obama during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. Obama presented the medal to 19 living and two posthumous pioneers in science, sports, public service, human rights, politics and the arts.
- Chip Somodevilla, Getty ImagesU.S. President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Artist and architect Maya Lin during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. Obama presented the medal to 19 living and two posthumous pioneers in science, sports, public service, human rights, politics and the arts.
- Chip Somodevilla, Getty ImagesBroadcaster and National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Vin Scully wears his Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to him by U.S. President Barack Obama during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. Obama presented the medal to 19 living and two posthumous pioneers in science, sports, public service, human rights, politics and the arts.
- Alex Wong, Getty ImagesU.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to mathematician and computer scientist Margaret H. Hamilton during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor for civilians in the United States of America.
- Alex Wong, Getty ImagesU.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to physicist Richard Garwin during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor for civilians in the United States of America.
- Alex Wong, Getty ImagesU.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to attorney Newt Minow during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor for civilians in the United States of America.
- Alex Wong, Getty ImagesU.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to producer and screenwriter Lorne Michaels during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor for civilians in the United States of America.
- Chip Somodevilla, Getty ImagesU.S. President Barack Obama embraces Motion picture legend and Oscar winner Robert De Niro before awarding him the awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. Obama presented the medal to 19 living and two posthumous pioneers in science, sports, public service, human rights, politics and the arts.
- Chip Somodevilla, Getty ImagesU.S. President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to groundbreaking architect Frank Gehry during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. Obama presented the medal to 19 living and two posthumous pioneers in science, sports, public service, human rights, politics and the arts.
- Nicholas Kamm, AFP/Getty ImagesUS President Barack Obama presents actor Tom Hanks with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, during a ceremony honoring 21 recipients, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 22, 2016.
- Nicholas Kamm, AFP/Getty ImagesUS President Barack Obama presents actor Robert De Niro with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, during a ceremony honoring 21 recipients, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 22, 2016.
- Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty ImagesU.S. President Barack Obama presents NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, during a ceremony honoring 21 recipients, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 22, 2016.
- Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty ImagesUS President Barack Obama presents Miami Dade College President Eduardo Padron with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, during a ceremony honoring 21 recipients, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 22, 2016.
- Nicholas Kamm, AFP/Getty ImagesU.S. President Barack Obama presents actor and director Robert Redford with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, during a ceremony honoring 21 recipients, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 22, 2016.
- Nicholas Kamm, AFP/Getty ImagesU.S. President Barack Obama presents singer Diana Ross with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, during a ceremony honoring 21 recipients, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 22, 2016.
- Nicholas Kamm, AFP/Getty ImagesU.S. President Barack Obama presents actress Cicely Tyson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, during a ceremony honoring 21 recipients, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 22, 2016.
- Andrew Harnik, The Associated PressActor Robert De Niro, center, reacts after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators.
Alex Wong, Getty Images
1 of 21
U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor for civilians in the United States of America.
Expand
By Glen Barber | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
WASHINGTON — Saying they had touched him in a powerful and personal way, President Barack Obama awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor to 21 groundbreaking actors, musicians, athletes and others during a ceremony Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at the White House. Among those getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom were actors Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Robert Redford and Cicely Tyson. Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, two of the best basketball players ever, were also among the honorees. Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross were recognized for their music. Other honorees included philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates, comedian Ellen DeGeneres and broadcaster Vin Scully.
Obama said the people receiving the medal helped push America forward and inspired millions around the world. The award recognizes especially meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States, to its culture, or to other significant endeavors. Posthumous honors went to Native American advocate Elouise Cobell and Rear Adm. Grace Hopper.
