![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3G72A3FLRVHKITY2E5HUKJLIQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=37ff91bf9107674b1a007cd7c55eda25013f20503aea467a3306d55fb66d097e&width=400&height=225)
Mr Biden receives his Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2017. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TJAA75EQ35VB44DCSVLUDFD4AI.jpg?smart=true&auth=1780ef2b520aab92eac91d64c5d49f238551e1550e5b2d087981ab5ed5ab6c02&width=400&height=225)
Khizr Khan is the Pakistani-American father of US Army Capt Humayun Khan, who was killed in 2004 during the Iraq War. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2QSMTGHGHTOUEZKKONOVSG4CBI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d688bdcb7dada3cdd0d5fbb1ee8ccff0d3d2757f612dd47e831ac6a74fd17422&width=400&height=225)
US President Joe Biden will honour actor Denzel Washington during the ceremony. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DDCGGRJ2CHWWDXXWHT75I2CSGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f75bdf188d02c9640c61adaffe239e73796308cf20423ce31688d576c7ecdda1&width=400&height=225)
Megan Rapinoe will be honoured by Mr Biden for her fair pay advocacy. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BCWN7OI4MU432LYG74VIAMNXLQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=6b9af6e37a5da0a99bbf7b533a2019daaf6e886ba3f40a6750ee922aef730eed&width=400&height=225)
Simone Biles is the most decorated US gymnast in history. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CBK4QUO24VDL5DA7HZMDU6NLVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=1a62529a2f214a339dfceef7718c6fa5a44e7acb79abb3fe1bb6a79f70457666&width=400&height=225)
After being shot in the head at a campaign event, former US representative Gabby Giffords became a advocate for stricter gun laws. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KGUB3AZ6CKTAQ4VTK5OZAVJZLE.jpg?smart=true&auth=597ca2778e264649d28099a1a3f6c603d445e8aee7250d5a5da14539b74e1519&width=400&height=225)
Fred Gray was a prominent civil rights lawyer who represented Rosa Parks, the NAACP and Martin Luther King Jr. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VWOWQCI7U7UYAIDIWDH7YMFXHQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=fe1fce7b982349cc5f72047c680755cc49deb0b00c5afef8f7b937036c3b2575&width=400&height=225)
John McCain served with Mr Biden in the US Senate. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XPBEKEKY3YY6NOAMQIGMTJLD4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=d457b899b795e4044933cc1ae28028d673ec31e6c81d39519adf2e44698511bd&width=400&height=225)
Air Force Brig Gen Wilma L Vaught was the first woman to deploy with an Air Force bomber unit and the first to reach the rank of brigadier general from the comptroller field. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JAUL5JJ5AV26T7D3T6YAL6O65U.jpg?smart=true&auth=6f91964fb9f97710f6212ec419f83209ad62d3c213c9b8e840093ea24aafb4ee&width=400&height=225)
Sandra Lindsay, a nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Centre, will receive the honour in recognition of her push to expand Covid-19 vaccinations. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WB3H7OR4LNPSTTGBZ54SONRFPU.jpg?smart=true&auth=92ea53557f938e12f8bf959daeea1b5ab2ab1cc996b9dc401a740228cde2f88d&width=400&height=225)
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs's father immigrated to the US from Syria. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JJ3Z436L3PFKFFQM5WLMISP4OU.jpg?smart=true&auth=572feef87ae353936ffaa95a01ec86fb0a580d932d5ace41d55f8820d31138e8&width=400&height=225)
Former senator Alan Simpson has been a prominent advocate for campaign finance reform, responsible governance and marriage equality. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IZFRB2XG64ULZLUD6DST5L7ZFY.jpg?smart=true&auth=c68266c22855a04ddc35b9872d4f4a8326ea059fa093671b8f7c77bd9f19a0a0&width=400&height=225)
AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka died in August 2021. He was a former president of the United Mine Workers. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IVKMJTAUQJHBPKN3E3AA67VSAU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d51fdc5ec211941ce7f48a64b60bbfca5f003e89c8bcfe22d2ff704647e3e975&width=400&height=225)
Diane Nash participates in a civil rights protest known as a sit in. Photo: Seattle Parks and Recreation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WXAEB6ZUQLSBKLN3MN7C3SZ7T4.jpg?smart=true&auth=504c31ecd3ce13caf9998c7b3ddb948a2a07b360880631323b7e252692a60dd4&width=400&height=225)
Former US president Barack Obama laughs with Mr Biden, who was vice president at the time, during the ceremony in which Mr Obama presented Mr Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on January 12, 2017. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3G72A3FLRVHKITY2E5HUKJLIQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=37ff91bf9107674b1a007cd7c55eda25013f20503aea467a3306d55fb66d097e&width=400&height=225)
Mr Biden receives his Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2017. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TJAA75EQ35VB44DCSVLUDFD4AI.jpg?smart=true&auth=1780ef2b520aab92eac91d64c5d49f238551e1550e5b2d087981ab5ed5ab6c02&width=400&height=225)
Khizr Khan is the Pakistani-American father of US Army Capt Humayun Khan, who was killed in 2004 during the Iraq War. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2QSMTGHGHTOUEZKKONOVSG4CBI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d688bdcb7dada3cdd0d5fbb1ee8ccff0d3d2757f612dd47e831ac6a74fd17422&width=400&height=225)
US President Joe Biden will honour actor Denzel Washington during the ceremony. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DDCGGRJ2CHWWDXXWHT75I2CSGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f75bdf188d02c9640c61adaffe239e73796308cf20423ce31688d576c7ecdda1&width=400&height=225)
Megan Rapinoe will be honoured by Mr Biden for her fair pay advocacy. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BCWN7OI4MU432LYG74VIAMNXLQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=6b9af6e37a5da0a99bbf7b533a2019daaf6e886ba3f40a6750ee922aef730eed&width=400&height=225)
Simone Biles is the most decorated US gymnast in history. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CBK4QUO24VDL5DA7HZMDU6NLVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=1a62529a2f214a339dfceef7718c6fa5a44e7acb79abb3fe1bb6a79f70457666&width=400&height=225)
After being shot in the head at a campaign event, former US representative Gabby Giffords became a advocate for stricter gun laws. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KGUB3AZ6CKTAQ4VTK5OZAVJZLE.jpg?smart=true&auth=597ca2778e264649d28099a1a3f6c603d445e8aee7250d5a5da14539b74e1519&width=400&height=225)
Fred Gray was a prominent civil rights lawyer who represented Rosa Parks, the NAACP and Martin Luther King Jr. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VWOWQCI7U7UYAIDIWDH7YMFXHQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=fe1fce7b982349cc5f72047c680755cc49deb0b00c5afef8f7b937036c3b2575&width=400&height=225)
John McCain served with Mr Biden in the US Senate. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XPBEKEKY3YY6NOAMQIGMTJLD4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=d457b899b795e4044933cc1ae28028d673ec31e6c81d39519adf2e44698511bd&width=400&height=225)
Air Force Brig Gen Wilma L Vaught was the first woman to deploy with an Air Force bomber unit and the first to reach the rank of brigadier general from the comptroller field. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JAUL5JJ5AV26T7D3T6YAL6O65U.jpg?smart=true&auth=6f91964fb9f97710f6212ec419f83209ad62d3c213c9b8e840093ea24aafb4ee&width=400&height=225)
Sandra Lindsay, a nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Centre, will receive the honour in recognition of her push to expand Covid-19 vaccinations. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WB3H7OR4LNPSTTGBZ54SONRFPU.jpg?smart=true&auth=92ea53557f938e12f8bf959daeea1b5ab2ab1cc996b9dc401a740228cde2f88d&width=400&height=225)
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs's father immigrated to the US from Syria. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JJ3Z436L3PFKFFQM5WLMISP4OU.jpg?smart=true&auth=572feef87ae353936ffaa95a01ec86fb0a580d932d5ace41d55f8820d31138e8&width=400&height=225)
Former senator Alan Simpson has been a prominent advocate for campaign finance reform, responsible governance and marriage equality. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IZFRB2XG64ULZLUD6DST5L7ZFY.jpg?smart=true&auth=c68266c22855a04ddc35b9872d4f4a8326ea059fa093671b8f7c77bd9f19a0a0&width=400&height=225)
AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka died in August 2021. He was a former president of the United Mine Workers. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IVKMJTAUQJHBPKN3E3AA67VSAU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d51fdc5ec211941ce7f48a64b60bbfca5f003e89c8bcfe22d2ff704647e3e975&width=400&height=225)
Diane Nash participates in a civil rights protest known as a sit in. Photo: Seattle Parks and Recreation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WXAEB6ZUQLSBKLN3MN7C3SZ7T4.jpg?smart=true&auth=504c31ecd3ce13caf9998c7b3ddb948a2a07b360880631323b7e252692a60dd4&width=400&height=225)
Former US president Barack Obama laughs with Mr Biden, who was vice president at the time, during the ceremony in which Mr Obama presented Mr Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on January 12, 2017. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3G72A3FLRVHKITY2E5HUKJLIQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=37ff91bf9107674b1a007cd7c55eda25013f20503aea467a3306d55fb66d097e&width=400&height=225)
Mr Biden receives his Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2017. AP