Who awarded Rosa Parks the Presidential Medal of Freedom?

Bill Clinton awarded Rosa Parks the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1996, Rosa Parks was presented, by President Bill Clinton, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a civilian by the United States Government.

The Medal of Freedom was originally awarded to military personnel and others involved in wartime. It morphed into an award that recognized an act that protected the security of the United States; and in 1963, it became the highest award for those who contribute “to the quality of American life.”

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, a black seamstress, defied a local segregation ordinance by refusing to give her seat on a city bus to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama. She was expected to move to the back of the vehicle. Her actions sparked a bus boycott, one of the highlights of the civil rights movement, that eventually brought about desegregation of public transportation. Also, her actions launched a wave of protest that ultimately tore down many segregation laws across the South.

More Info: worldhistoryproject.org

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24 Comments

Bill0325

Got it, Many thanks to the bravery of Rosa 😎

anthonygriffin

Although, Mrs. Rosa Parks was awarded the "Presidential Freedom Medal" by President Bill Clinton, back in 1996. It was baseball great Jackie Robinson, who not only broke the racial barrier in the sport. But he also refused to give up his bus seat to a White soldier, while both were serving during World War II. This lead to the desegregation of the military service barracks by President Harry Truman in 1947.

Richard D. Boyle

anthonygriffin, TY for reminding us all of the character, integrity and bravery of the great number 42, the only number ever retired in Major League Baseball.

Timothy S. O'Neal II

I said Bill Clinton and got it wrong...how bout that?

robert karel

anthonygriffin, a woman before Rosa Parks refused first. But Rosa Parks gets the glory.

ninakamwene

Got it. Thanks Rosa Parks, as a Kenyan now living in America, I thank you for your bravery. May you RIP. And thanks to Bill Clinton who was raised by a single mom. Here is to all the brave women on the planet, including myself.

mlhoover

Seems like the more we go forward, the more backward we get. We must learn to respect each other. Don't we as a society remember the golden rule? Let's learn to hear the whispers before we hear shouts!

dcboyden

And all of us benefited! No matter what group you are from!

Marcella Kosse

Got it.

Robin Heckler

Shyamala Devi, Yes she absolutely was.Not only did she refuse to give up her seat to a white. She refused to give it up to a much larger man. All reasons at the time she could have been quickly killed over a bus seat.