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President Obama has announced the last group of people to whom he will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

The group of 21 luminaries includes athletes Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, musicians Diana Ross and Bruce Springsteen and actors Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks, Robert Redford and Cicely Tyson.

The group also honors inspiring people who may not be household names, such as Native American community leader and advocate Elouise Cobell and computer code pioneer Grace Hopper, both of whom are deceased.

"The Presidential Medal of Freedom is not just our nation's highest civilian honor — it's a tribute to the idea that all of us, no matter where we come from, have the opportunity to change this country for the better," Obama said. "From scientists, philanthropists, and public servants to activists, athletes and artists, these 21 individuals have helped push America forward, inspiring millions of people around the world along the way."


Honorees also include comedian Ellen DeGeneres, philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates, artist Maya Lin, architect Frank Gehry, legendary broadcaster Vin Scully and 

 creator Lorne Michaels.
They will receive the medals at a ceremony at the White House on Nov. 22, and it 

. Obama has previously said the annual event 

 the 21 people who will receive the award, and their accomplishments:


Arts and Culture

Lifestyle

President Obama has announced the last group of people that he will honor with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, including Michael Jordan, Diana Ross, Frank Gehry and Vin Scully.

Michael Jordan, artist Maya Lin and Diana Ross

These are the 21 people receiving the nation's highest civilian honor

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