Photos: Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former Federal Communications Committee Chairman Newt Minow during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington, DC.

President Barack Obama embraces popular music icon Diana Ross during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Nov. 22, 2016 in Washington, DC.

President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to broadcaster and National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Vin Scully during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington, DC.

President Barack Obama, right, points at Tom Hanks, left, before presenting him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington.

President Barack Obama presents actor Robert DeNiro with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 22, 2016.

President Barack Obama presents actress and comedian Ellen DeGeneres with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 22, 2016.

Actor Robert DeNiro(R) waits next to Ellen DeGeneres(C) before President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 22, 2016.

Actor Tom Hanks (C) laughs before President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 22, 2016.

Producer Lorne Michaels(bottom C) smiles before President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 22, 2016.

Actress Cicely Tyson smiles next to Bruce Springsteen (L) and Michael Jordan (behind) before President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 22, 2016.

NBA star Michael Jordan (R top) and rock icon Bruce Springsteen (R) laugh along with some of the other 21 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom as President Barack Obama speaks before presenting the nation’s highest civilian honor, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 22, 2016.

President Barack Obama speaks before presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, November 22, 2016.

Presidential Medals of Freedom are seen on a table prior to the start of the ceremony in the East Room of the White House Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, where President Barack Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation’s highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators.