Former President Bill Clinton and talk show diva Oprah Winfrey were among the 16 individuals awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor by President Obama Wednesday.

The 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom went to 16 individuals who were honored for their “meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

“Significant public or private endeavors” would explain President Clinton of stained blue dress and cigar fame, racist Oprah Winfrey who recently declared racists “just have to die,” and the liberal, feminist activist Gloria Steinem being among the nominees.

“Recipients of the 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom included sports champions and scientists, musicians and civil rights leaders, activists and journalists, media moguls and public servants,” was the way the White House worded the announcement on its website.

According to the list, the 2013 honorees were: “Ernie Banks, Ben Bradlee, former President Bill Clinton, Daniel Inouye (posthumous), Daniel Kahneman, Richard Lugar, Loretta Lynn, Mario Molina, Sally Ride (posthumous), Bayard Rustin (posthumous), Arturo Sandoval, Dean Smith, Gloria Steinem, Cordy Tindell “C.T.” Vivian, Patricia Wald, and Oprah Winfrey.”

Click here for the White House’s description of this year’s winners of the Presidential Medal of Freedom – an honor established by President John F. Kennedy, though he was assassinated before he ever had a chance to honor any of the recipients himself.

Watch a short report on the ceremony here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PTyR5AyiAM

Read: Texas single mom’s ‘thanks a lot’ letter to Obama goes viral

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Janeen Capizola

"And though she be but little, she is fierce." And fun! This conservative-minded political junkie, mom of three, dancer and one-time NFL cheerleader holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science. [email protected]. Twitter: @JaneenBPR

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