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Ralph Lauren, Hillary Clinton, Jane Goodall, Denzel Washington, and Bono are among 19 people who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden in a ceremony today (January 4) at the White House.
Other recipients on the list of 19 honorees include soccer star Lionel Messi, basketball legend Magic Johnson, Michael J Fox, Bill Nighy, chef José Andrés, and Anna Wintour.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the United States’ highest civilian honor, presented to people who have made significant contributions to the “prosperity, values, or security” of the nation, furthered world peace, or made other important and recognizable “societal, public, or private endeavors.”
The event took place at the White House on Saturday January 4, with awardees in attendance. Messi was unable to attend due to a scheduling issue. Four medals were bestowed posthumously.
“Together, you leave an incredible mark—and I mean this sincerely, this group—you leave an incredible mark on our country,” Biden said while addressing the honorees.
“For the final time as president I have the honor of bestowing the Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, on a group of extraordinary, truly extraordinary people, who gave their sacred effort, their sacred effort, to shape the culture and the cause of America,” he said in opening remarks.
Photo: Tom Brenner (Getty Images)
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