Joe Biden awards Elton John with the National Humanities Medal

nme.com:

Elton John has been awarded the National Humanities Medal by US president Joe Biden.The British icon was awarded the medal at the White House as part of an event titled ‘A Night When Hope and History Rhyme’ – which celebrated teachers, students, frontline workers, and LGBTQIA advocates.

Over 2,000 people were in attendance, with notable attendees including former first lady Laura Bush, education activist Malala Yousafzai as well as AIDS activist Jeanne White-Ginder.At the event, John played a slew of his hits, including ‘Your Song,’ ‘Rocket Man’ ‘Tiny Dancer’, and ‘Crocodile Rock’, a song personally important to President Biden.

At the end of the event, the singer was awarded the medal for his musical career, as well as his long-time activism for HIV/AIDS efforts.

Upon receiving the medal, John was visibly surprised and touched, breaking into tears.In a statement read at the ceremony, John was credited “for moving our souls with his powerful voice and one of the defining song books of all time.