Joe Biden (80) presented various artists with the US Medal of Honor in the White House last Tuesday. Because of the corona pandemic, the ceremony did not take place in 2021 and 2022, so the recipients of 2021 only received their awards now. “We’re a great nation, in large part because of the strength of the arts and humanities. That’s imprinted in America’s DNA,” Biden said in his speech, according to CNN. “Today, we continue the legacy of presenting two of our nation’s highest honors to 23 exceptional Americans.” In addition to the “National Medal of the Art”, Biden also awarded the “National Humanities Medal”.
Among the honored artists was musician Bruce Springsteen (73), who accepted the Medal of Honor with a beaming face. “Some people are just born to run, man,” Biden said in his speech, according to USA Today, referring to Springsteen’s 1975 hit “Born to Run.” Bruce Springsteen is recognized with the award as one of the “greatest artists and storytellers “Acknowledged by the USA, it said in a statement in advance. “His music celebrates our triumphs, heals our wounds, and gives us hope by capturing the unyielding spirit of what it means to be American.”
In addition to Springsteen, the actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus (62), actress Mindy Kaling (43), fashion designer Vera Wang (73), singer Gladys Knight (78) and singer Jose Feliciano (77) were also honored. Louis-Dreyfus welcomed the US President as his “girlfriend” and asked the “Veep” star, in the series she plays a White House politician, if she preferred “being president or vice president”. And Knight described it as “one of the best things that has ever happened to music”. First Lady Jill Biden (71) and Vice President Kamala Harris (58) also attended the ceremony.
Last September, Biden had already awarded a world-famous musician the National Humanities Medal: Elton John (75) made a stop in the capital Washington on his farewell tour and in the garden in front of the White House he performed his greatest hits such as “I’m Still Standing”. , “Rocket Man” or “Crocodile Rock”. Among other things, Biden thanked him for his music and his commitment to the fight against HIV and then presented him with the award. It recognizes individuals or organizations whose work has promoted understanding of the humanities.
