Washington, Nov. 20: President Barack Obama opened a day of tributes to former President John F. Kennedy today by bestowing the Presidential Medal of Freedom on prominent Americans, 50 years after Kennedy was assassinated weeks short of the medal’s first award ceremony.

Obama presented the medal — the highest award the US gives a civilian — to Oprah Winfrey, former President Bill Clinton, and leaders from the worlds of sports, entertainment, science and public service. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Steven Spielberg were among those gathered in the East Room of the White House to watch the ceremony.

“Today, we salute fierce competitors who became true champions,” Obama said, pausing to speak in personal terms about each of the recipients and their contributions to society.

The ceremony marks the start of a day honouring Kennedy’s legacy two days before the nation pauses to remember the 50th anniversary of his assassination.

Later, Obama pays a visit to the eternal flame that marks John F. Kennedy’s gravesite at the Arlington National Cemetery.

Turning to the former White House inhabitant, Obama said that Bill Clinton’s presidency had been only the start of his work to improve the world, crediting his post-presidency humanitarian works as helping to save or improve the lives of hundreds of millions around the world.

“I’m grateful, Bill, as well, for the advice and counsel that you’ve offered me, on and off the golf course,” Obama said to chuckles.

“And most importantly, for your life-saving work around the world, which represents what’s the very best in America.”

Kennedy established the modern version of the medal, but was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas on November 22, 1963, two weeks before he planned to honour the inaugural group of recipients.

As a teenager, Bill Clinton shook hands with Kennedy the summer before the assassination when he and other high school students in the Boys Nation programme went to Washington.