Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award given by the President of the United States. It recognizes those individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors".[1] The award is not limited to U.S. citizens and, while it is a civilian award, it can also be awarded to military personnel and worn on the uniform.
It was established in 1963 and replaced the earlier Medal of Freedom that was established by President Harry S. Truman in 1945.
Gallery
President Ronald Reagan presenting Mother Teresa with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony in 1985
Strom Thurmond being honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George Bush in 1993
Former United Kingdom Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George H. W. Bush in 1991
George H. W. Bush awarding former President Ronald Reagan the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction in January 1993
Edgar M. Bronfman receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton in 1999
Former United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush on January 13, 2009
Former Prime Minister of Australia John Howard receiving the Medal from George W. Bush on January 13, 2009
Andy Griffith receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, August 2005
President Barack Obama talks with Stephen Hawking in the Blue Room of the White House before a ceremony presenting him and 15 others the Presidential Medal of Freedom, August 12, 2009.
Angela Merkel being honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, August 2010
President Donald Trump posthumously awards Elvis Presley the Presidential Medal of Freedom, November 2018
Bob Cousy receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump in August 2019
Presidential Medal Of Freedom Media
Medal and accoutrements, including the service ribbon, miniature and lapel badge
The Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction,as worn with white tie
A. Philip Randolph receiving the Medal from President Lyndon Johnson at one of the first ceremonies, 1964
President Richard Nixon presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Duke Ellington, 1969
President Gerald Ford awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction to Martha Graham, 1976
Arthur Goldberg speaking at his ceremony where he was awarded the Medal by President Jimmy Carter, 1978
Related pages
References
- ↑ Executive Order 9586, signed July 6, 1945; Federal Register 10 FR 8523, July 10, 1945
Other websites
Media related to Presidential Medal of Freedom at Wikimedia Commons
- "Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients", a list of recipients from May 5, 1993, through August 19, 2009, from senate.gov, the U.S. Senate's official website. Accessed August 22, 2009.