Bob White

President Obama presented musician Bob Dylan, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, author Toni Morrison, Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, astronaut John Glenn and others, with the Medal of Freedom in a ceremony at the White House on Tuesday.

President Barack Obama honored a diverse cross-section of cultural and political icons including music legend Bob Dylan, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, novelist Toni Morrison, astronaut John Glenn, and basketball coach Pat Summitt with the Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony.

May 29: President Barack Obama honored a diverse cross-section of cultural and political icons including music legend Bob Dylan, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, novelist Toni Morrison, astronaut John Glenn, and basketball coach Pat Summitt with the Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony.

Legendary musician Bob Dylan visited the White House on Tuesday to receive the Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Dylan released his first album in 1962, and his music had a considerable influence on the civil rights movement. Below, President Barack Obama awards Dylan the prestigious medal.The president said he found Dylan's music transcendant, claiming it led to his 'world opening up, because [Dylan] captured something about this country that was so vital.'Dylan was one of 13 to receive the Medal of Freedom on Tuesday, including former astronaut and Senator John Glenn, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former University of Tennessee women's basketball head coach Pat Summitt.US President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom tomusician Bob Dylan during a ceremony on May 29, 2012 in the East Room of the White House in Washington. The award is the country's highest civilian honor. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GettyImages)US President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to musician Bob Dylan during a ceremony on May 29, 2012 in the East Room of the White House in Washington. The award is the country's highest civilian honor. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GettyImages)Muscian Bob Dylan is seen before receiveing the Presidential Medal of Freedom from US President Barack Obama during a ceremony on May 29, 2012 in the East Room of the White House in Washington. The award is the country's highest civilian honor. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GettyImages)US President Barack Obama shows the way to musician Bob Dylan before presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom to him during a ceremony on May 29, 2012 in the East Room of the White House in Washington. The award is the country's highest civilian honor. AFP PHOTO/Mandel