Read this passage on the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Then answer questions below. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States. President Harry Truman first gave this award in 1945 to honor people who served during WWII. President John F. Kennedy revived the medal and began the tradition of awarding the medal annually, on or near July 4. The award is given to several people annually. Unlike many other US awards, the Presidential Medal of Freedom can be awarded to non-US citizens. The Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes individuals who... Show more Read this passage on the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Then answer questions below. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States. President Harry Truman first gave this award in 1945 to honor people who served during WWII. President John F. Kennedy revived the medal and began the tradition of awarding the medal annually, on or near July 4. The award is given to several people annually. Unlike many other US awards, the Presidential Medal of Freedom can be awarded to non-US citizens. The Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes individuals who have made 'an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, or to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.' President George W. Bush presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to baseball legend Henry Aaron during a ceremony at the White House, July 9, 2002. This is his story. On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hit his 715th career home run, surpassing Babe Ruth’s legendary record. However, as an African American player who had received death threats during his pursuit of one of baseball’s most distinguished records, the achievement was bittersweet. Nevertheless, the largest crowd in the history of Atlanta Stadium was with him that night to cheer his accomplishment, and on June 18, he was invited to speak before the U.S. Congress. Henry Louis Aaron, Jr., born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1934, entered the major leagues in 1954, just eight years after Jackie Robinson pioneered integrated play. Three years later, with little fanfare, Aaron was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player as the Milwaukee Braves won the pennant. A few weeks later, his three home runs in the World Series helped his team triumph over the heavily favored New York Yankees. Although 'Hammerin’ Hank' specialized in home runs, he was also an extremely dependable batter, and by the end of his career, he held baseball’s career record for most runs batted in: 2,297. In 1976, he left the playing field for the Braves’ front office, where he became one of baseball’s first African American executives and a leading spokesperson for minority hiring. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. Show less
Read this passage on the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Then answer questions below.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States. President Harry Truman first gave this award in 1945 to honor people who served during WWII. President John F. Kennedy revived the medal and began the tradition of awarding the medal annually, on or near July 4. The award is given to several people annually. Unlike many other US awards, the Presidential Medal of Freedom can be awarded to non-US citizens.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes individuals who have made 'an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, or to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.'
President George W. Bush presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to baseball legend Henry Aaron during a ceremony at the White House, July 9, 2002. This is his story.
On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hit his 715th career home run, surpassing Babe Ruth’s legendary record. However, as an African American player who had received death threats during his pursuit of one of baseball’s most distinguished records, the achievement was bittersweet. Nevertheless, the largest crowd in the history of Atlanta Stadium was with him that night to cheer his accomplishment, and on June 18, he was invited to speak before the U.S. Congress.
Henry Louis Aaron, Jr., born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1934, entered the major leagues in 1954, just eight years after Jackie Robinson pioneered integrated play. Three years later, with little fanfare, Aaron was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player as the Milwaukee Braves won the pennant. A few weeks later, his three home runs in the World Series helped his team triumph over the heavily favored New York Yankees. Although 'Hammerin’ Hank' specialized in home runs, he was also an extremely dependable batter, and by the end of his career, he held baseball’s career record for most runs batted in: 2,297. In 1976, he left the playing field for the Braves’ front office, where he became one of baseball’s first African American executives and a leading spokesperson for minority hiring. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.
Join 4M+ learners. Unlock unlimited quizzes, wrong-answer tracking, flashcards + reminders, study guides, and 1-on-1 challenges.