Obama honors Clinton, Oprah with freedom medal

Presidents Obama, Clinton
President Barack Obama (L) awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former U.S. President Bill Clinton (R) in the East Room at the White House on November 20, 2013 in Washington, DC.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

President Barack Obama is bestowing the Presidential Medal of Freedom on more than a dozen prominent Americans 50 years after the death of the award's founder, President John F. Kennedy.

Obama is honoring former President Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, and leaders in sports, science and public service in a White House ceremony on Wednesday. Obama says the recipients remind Americans of their own potential.

Obama says the late Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, showed America's daughters, including his own, that they can set their sights high.

The ceremony opens a day of tributes to Kennedy ahead of the 50th anniversary of his assassination Friday. Kennedy established the modern version of the medal but died before the first presentation.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.