On Monday, the White House announced the recipients of the 2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom Award, the country’s highest civilian commendation.
A few of this year’s 19 winners include Meryl Streep, Stevie Wonder, Stephen Sondheim, and Tom Brokaw.
Brokaw, who is coming off of an election night blooper on MSNBC where his cell phone interrupted Rachel Maddow during coverage, has been in media since 1966.
Brokaw was first a member of Today in 1976 and was the NBC Nightly News anchor for 22 years, ending in 2004.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, President Obama will act as the presenter for the ceremony on Nov. 24, which will take place in the East Room of the White House.
“From activists who fought for change to artists who explored the furthest reaches of our imagination; from scientists who kept America on the cutting edge to public servants who help write new chapters in our American story, these citizens have made extraordinary contributions to our country and the world,” the President said in a statement.
This year’s award winners will be joining a litany of previous winners with arguably more pedigree. Previous award winners include Mother Teresa, Margaret Thatcher, and Andy Griffith.
The award, which has been given out annually since 1963 when then president John F. Kennedy reestablished the awarding of the medal through Executive Order 11085, has become an annual event.
President Obama will also reportedly honor former professional golfer Charles Sifford whose efforts helped desegregate the PGA in 1961.
Sifford, who will go down as the first African American to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, will turn 93 next summer.
The full list of recipients can be found here.
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