Film director Steven Spielberg became the 20th recipient of the Liberty Medal Award last night at National Constitution Center.
The 90-minute ceremony was held outside on the front court facing the Independence Hall. This year’s theme was “Visions of Liberty,” honored Spielberg was for his work in capturing the plight of human suffering in movies like the Schindler’s List, and The Color Purple. Whoopi Goldberg, who starred in The Color Purple and was later nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in it, shared about her work with Spielberg.
Former President Bill Clinton, who serves as chairman of the Constitution Center, presented the shiny medal to Spielberg as the audience of several hundred people gave the standing ovation to the filmmaker.
It looked like Governor Ed Rendell still had work to do seconds before he gave speech as he was seen nervously jutting down some notes. Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter opened the 2009 ceremony calling Spielberg as the “ambassador of hope.”
