Top US Civilian Honor Given to 21 Artists, Athletes, & others

President Barack Obama is awarding the nation’s highest civilian honor to 21 groundbreaking actors, musicians, athletes and others during a ceremony Tuesday at the White House.

Among those getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom: actors Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro and Robert Redford.

Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, two of the best basketball players ever, are also among the honorees.

Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross will be recognized for their music.

Other honorees include philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates, comedian Ellen DeGeneres and broadcaster Vin Scully.

Obama says 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.

.@POTUS awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Michael Jordan https://t.co/RgLiovbp5B pic.twitter.com/95xQNgT8Do

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) November 22, 2016

Ellen DeGeneres received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama: https://t.co/eECfM2RSUw pic.twitter.com/XqcXm0q9CE

— People (@people) November 23, 2016

Emmy and Tony award winner Cicely Tyson receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Pres. Obama. https://t.co/eso1GYZ1fd

— ABC News (@ABC) November 22, 2016

Pres. Obama awards basketball legend and 6-time NBA MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. https://t.co/Miabo2Y43s

— ABC News (@ABC) November 22, 2016

The honorees also took a moment to get in on the new video viral sensation, the “Mannequin Challenge.  

Look what @RitaWilson #Ellen and I got everyone to do! I’m in the pink dress laughing with Rita! It’s the #MannequinChallenge, Presidential Medal of Freedom Edition at the @WhiteHouse!! Starring #RobertDeNiro, @RitaWilson, @TheEllenShow, @KareemAbdulJabbar_33, @TomHanks, #BillGates, #MichaelJordan, @FrankGehry, my mama #DianaRoss, and more!

A video posted by Tracee Ellis Ross (@traceeellisross) on Nov 22, 2016 at 11:44am PST

Source: AP