President Obama Presents 21 Medals of Freedom

Today, President Obama presented 21 people with a Medal of Freedom. He stated that it was a celebration of "extraordinary Americans who have lifted our spirits, strengthened our union, pushed us towards progress." President Obama has awarded more Medals of Freedom than any other President.

This year's recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom include:

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

2. Elouise Cobar

3. Ellen DeGeneres

4. Robert De Niro

5. Richard Garwin

6. Bill Gates

7. Melinda Gates

8. Frank Gehry

9. Margaret H. Hamilton

10. Tom Hanks

Saul Loeb/AFP

11. Grace Hopper

12. Michael Jordan

13. Maya Lin

14. Lorne Michaels

15. Newt Minow

16. Eduardo Padron

17. Robert Redford

18. Diana Ross

19. Vin Scully

20. Bruce Springsteen

21. Cicely Tyson