Ronald Reagan Freedom Award facts for kids
The Ronald Reagan Freedom Award is the highest civilian honor by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. The award is given to "those who have made monumental and lasting contributions to the cause of freedom worldwide."
Today, the award is given by Former First Lady Nancy Reagan on behalf of her husband, who died in June 2004. The award was first given in 1992, by President Ronald Reagan himself, as well as in 1993, but in 1994 Mrs. Reagan presented the award instead of her husband due to his poor health.
In order to receive this honor, the recipient must "have made monumental and lasting contributions to the cause of freedom worldwide," as well as "embody President Reagan's lifelong belief that one man or woman truly can make a difference."
Recipients
- 1992 – Mikhail Gorbachev, former General Secretary of the Soviet Union
- 1993 – General Colin Powell, former National Security Advisor to President Reagan
- 1994 – Yitzhak Rabin, former Prime Minister of Israel
- 1995 – King Hussein I, then King of Jordan
- 1997 – Bob Hope, former entertainer.
- 1998 – Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- 2000 – The Reverend Billy Graham, evangelical minister
- 2002 – Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York
- 2007 – George H. W. Bush, former President of the United States, served under Reagan as Vice President of the United States
- 2008 – Natan Sharansky, former KGB prisoner, human rights activist, Israeli politician.
- 2011 – Lech Walesa, former Solidarity leader and former president of Poland
