Today, President Obama hands out the Medal of Freedom to 16 recipients. It's the nation's highest civilian award. The Medal is presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.
Here are today's recipients:
- Ernie Banks
- Ben Bradlee
- Bill Clinton
- Daniel Inouye (posthumous)
- Daniel Kahneman
- Richard Lugar
- Loretta Lynn
- Mario Molina
- Sally Ride (posthumous)
- Bayard Rustin (posthumous)
- Arturo Sandoval
- Dean Smith
- Gloria Steinem
- Cordy Tindell “C.T.” Vivian
- Patricia Wald
- Oprah Winfrey