Presidential Medal of Freedom Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Presidential Medal of Freedom
The award's miniature medal

Country	United States
Type	Civilian award
Awarded for	"An especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."
Precedence
Next (higher)	None
Equivalent	Congressional Gold Medal
Next (lower)	Presidential Citizens Medal
Service ribbons of the award (at left: Medal with Distinction)

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award of the United States, alongside the Congressional Gold Medal. The award is not limited to U.S. citizens, and, while it is a civilian award, it can also be awarded to military personnel and worn on the uniform. It was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy.

What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
History
Insignia
Who receives the medal?
Notable recipients
Ceremony
Impact
Interesting facts about the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Recipients
- Gallery
See also

What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom?

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is a prestigious award given by the President of the United States to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. It's a way of saying "thank you" to people who have made our country and the world a better place.

History

The medal was originally established by President John F. Kennedy on July 6, 1963. He wanted a way to recognize people who had shown extraordinary achievement in many different fields. Before this, there wasn't a single, clear award that covered such a wide range of accomplishments. [

Initially, the medal was awarded less frequently. The number of recipients varied from year to year, sometimes only a handful received the honor. This made receiving the medal even more special and prestigious.

Insignia

Medal and accoutrements, including the service ribbon, miniature and lapel badge

The Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction,
as worn with white tie

The badge of the Presidential Medal of Freedom is in the form of a golden star with white enamel, with a red enamel pentagon behind it; the central disc bears thirteen gold stars on a blue enamel background (taken from the Great Seal of the United States) within a golden ring. Golden bald eagles with spread wings stand between the points of the star. It is worn around the neck on a blue ribbon having white edge stripes.

A special and rarely granted award, called the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, has a larger version of the same badge, which is worn as a star on the left chest. It comes with a sash that is worn over the right shoulder (similarly to the Grand Cross of an order of chivalry), with its rosette (blue with a white edge, bearing the central disc of the badge at its center) resting on the left hip. When the medal with Distinction is awarded, the star may be presented hanging from a neck ribbon and can be identified by its size, which is larger than the standard badge.

In addition to the full-size insignia, the award is accompanied by a service ribbon for wear on military service uniform, a miniature medal pendant for wear on mess dress or civilian formal wear, and a lapel badge for wear on civilian clothes, all of which comes in the full presentation set. There is a silver bald eagle with spread wings on the miniature and service ribbon, or a golden bald eagle for a medal awarded with Distinction.

The Insignia was designed by the Army's Institute of Heraldry, led by Col. Harry Downing Temple.

Who receives the medal?

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to a wide variety of people. It's not just for politicians or famous actors. The recipients have included:

Scientists: People who have made groundbreaking discoveries in science and technology, helping us understand the world around us better.

Athletes: Exceptional athletes who have shown incredible skill, determination, and sportsmanship.

Artists: Painters, musicians, writers, and actors who have created beautiful and inspiring works of art that touch our hearts and minds.

Activists: People who have fought for important causes and made a positive difference in the world.

Business Leaders: People who have built successful companies and created jobs, contributing to the economy. They might have invented new products or found ways to help people all over the world.

Military Leaders: People who have shown exceptional bravery and leadership in the military, protecting our country.

Humanitarians: People who have dedicated their lives to helping others, often in difficult circumstances. They might have worked to provide food, shelter, or medical care to those in need.

Notable recipients

Over the years, many incredible people have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Here are just a few examples:

Rosa Parks: A courageous civil rights activist who refused to give up her seat on a bus, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Martin Luther King Jr.: A leader of the Civil Rights Movement who fought for equality and justice for all.

Nelson Mandela: A South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who spent many years in prison for his beliefs.

Bill Gates: A co-founder of Microsoft, a technology giant that has changed the way we use computers.

Oprah Winfrey: A highly successful talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist.

Tom Hanks: A highly acclaimed and beloved actor known for his many roles in popular films.

Stephen Hawking: A brilliant physicist who made significant contributions to our understanding of the universe.

Mother Teresa: A Catholic nun who dedicated her life to helping the poor and sick in Calcutta, India.

Ceremony

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is usually presented in a formal ceremony at the White House. The President personally gives the medal to each recipient, often sharing a few words about their accomplishments. It's a very special and memorable occasion, often attended by family and friends of the recipients.

Impact

Receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom is a tremendous honor. It not only recognizes the recipient's achievements but also inspires others to strive for excellence and make a positive impact on the world. It serves as a reminder that even one person can make a huge difference.

Interesting facts about the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Marian Anderson and Ralph Bunche received the first Medals of Freedom from President John F. Kennedy on July 4, 1963.
The medal may be awarded to an individual more than once and may also be awarded posthumously.
Athlete and activist Simone Biles is the youngest person to receive this award at the age of 25.
There is no process for the award to be revoked.
Women may choose to receive the award as a bow worn on the left chest (as for Margaret Thatcher).

Recipients

Gallery

A. Philip Randolph receiving the Medal from President Lyndon Johnson at one of the first ceremonies, 1964
President Richard Nixon presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Duke Ellington, 1969
President Gerald Ford awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction to Martha Graham, 1976
Arthur Goldberg speaking at his ceremony where he was awarded the Medal by President Jimmy Carter, 1978
President Ronald Reagan presenting Mother Teresa with the award, 1985
Former United Kingdom Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher receiving the award, in its unusual bow form, from President George H. W. Bush, 1991
Rosa Parks receives the award from President Bill Clinton, 1996
Fred Rogers smiles as he receives the award from President George W. Bush, 2002
President Barack Obama awards the medal with Distinction to then-Vice President Joe Biden, 2017. Biden later became the first president to receive the award before assuming office.
President Donald Trump presents the Medal to Tiger Woods, 2019
President Joe Biden presenting the Medal to Simone Biles, 2022