Biden awards Medal of Freedom to Biles, McCain, 15 others

resident Joe Biden on Thursday awarded 17 individuals with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

"On Monday, we celebrated the independence of our nation, a nation always a work in progress in creation of possibilities, the fulfillment of promises. That's the American story," Biden said as he opened the ceremony.

"We see an extraordinary, extraordinary group of Americans up here on the stage," Biden continued.

Household names to receive the award included Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, actor Denzel Washington and soccer star Megan Rapinoe.

Biden celebrated Biles, who has won 32 medals at the world stage, as the "youngest person ever to receive the Medal of Freedom."