• The 17 honorees were revealed by President Joe Biden on Friday.
• A medal is given every year to famous people who have had a big impact on American society, culture, politics, or world peace.
• Denzel Washington is the only actor or entertainment personality honoured this year.

Denzel Washington, a well-known actor, has received a growing number of honours. According to the media, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is the newest award to be added to the list.

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The 17 honorees were revealed by President Joe Biden on Friday. The medal is given every year to famous people who have had a big impact on American society, culture, politics, or world peace.

According to the media, Denzel Washington is the only actor or entertainment personality honoured this year, though athletes Simone Biles and Megan Rapinoe are also among the medal winners.

Other honorees include religious leaders Sister Simone Campbell and Father Alexander Karloutsos; politicians Gabrielle Giffords and Alan Simpson; activists Fred Gray, Diane Nash, and Ral Yzaguirre; Julieta Garcia, a former president of the University of Texas at Brownsville; Sandra Lindsay, a nurse; the founders of the Constitution Literacy and National Unity Projects; and Wilma Vaught, a US military commander. Posthumous awards will be given to John McCain, Richard Trumka, and Steve Jobs.

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On July 7, three days after the United States’ Independence Day, the Medal of Freedom recipients will be honoured.