Updated: Nov. 20, 2013 at 5:48 PM

President Obama awards the Medal of Freedom (24 images)

Sixteen Americans -- titans in science, communications, music, civil rights, government and sports -- received the Presidential Medal of Freedom Wednesday.

President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to baseball legend Ernie Banks, during an event in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., November 20, 2013. UPI/Kevin Dietsch

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President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to vice president at-large of the Washington Post Ben Bradlee, during an event in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., November 20, 2013. UPI/Kevin Dietsch

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President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to psychologist Daniel Kahneman during an event in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., November 20, 2013. UPI/Kevin Dietsch

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President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to chemist Mario Molina at the White House in Washington, D.C., November 20, 2013. UPI/Kevin Dietsch

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