Diana Ross, Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Gates, Michael Jordan & More get the Presidential Medal of Freedom

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 22: U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor for civilians in the United States of America. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

U.S. President Barack Obama presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 21 Americans during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor for civilians in the United States of America.

After almost not being allowed inside the White House, Ellen DeGeneres had an emotional moment while being presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom!

Talking about her, the announcer said “In a career spanning three decades, Ellen DeGeneres has lifted our spirits and brought joy to our lives as a stand-up comic, actor, and television star. In every role, she reminds us to be kind to one another and to treat people as each of us wants to be treated. At pivotal moments, her courage and candor helped change the minds and hearts of millions of Americans, accelerating our nation’s constant drive toward equality and acceptance for all. Again and again, Ellen DeGeneres has shown us that a single individual can make the world a more fun, more open, more loving place, so long as we ‘just keep swimming.”

Other stars who received the medal included Tom Hanks, Diana Ross, Robert De Niro, Bruce Springsteen, Robert Redford, Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, basketball players Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill and Melinda Gates, and more.

See some photos below.

U.S. President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to XXX during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. Obama presented the medal to 19 living and two posthumous pioneers in science, sports, public service, human rights, politics and the arts.

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 22: U.S. U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former NBA star Michael Jordan during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor for civilians in the United States of America. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 22: U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to actor Robert De Niro during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor for civilians in the United States of America. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 22: U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Robert Redford during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor for civilians in the United States of America. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 22: U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to actress Cicely Tyson during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor for civilians in the United States of America. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 22: U.S. President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Academy Award winner, filmmaker and social justice advocate Tom Hanks during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. Obama presented the medal to 19 living and two posthumous pioneers in science, sports, public service, human rights, politics and the arts. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 22: U.S. President Barack Obama awards Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates the Presidential Medal of Freedom by during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. Obama presented the medal to 19 living and two posthumous pioneers in science, sports, public service, human rights, politics and the arts. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 22: U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Diana Ross during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor for civilians in the United States of America. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 22: U.S. U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to musician Bruce Springsteen during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor for civilians in the United States of America. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)