Watch Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross, Michael Jordan Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

As previously reported, today President Barack Obama will award 21 new recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Among them are Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross. Watch the ceremony below. Other recipients will include Tom Hanks, Ellen Degeneres, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill and Melinda Gates. “Today we celebrate extraordinary Americans who have lifted our spirits, strengthened our union, pushed us towards progress,” Obama said.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom 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.” Previous recipients include Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, and more.

Read our feature, “The Presidential Suite: A Look Back at Obama’s Musical Milestones.”

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