President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama participated in an event honoring the fifteen recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in an East Room ceremony at the White House. Recipients include Former President George H.W. Bush, world renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Hall of Fame baseball player Stan Musial, civil rights activist Maya Angelou and others.
The Medal of Freedom is America's highest civilian honor which was created in 1963 by Former President John F. Kennedy through Executive Order.