Which country awarded Nelson Mandela the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002?

The United States awarded Nelson Mandela the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002.

President George W. Bush presented the honor, the United States’ highest civilian award, to Mandela. The medal recognized his leadership in opposing apartheid, advancing reconciliation, and promoting human rights.

Mandela was not able to attend the White House ceremony in person. His daughter Zenani Dlamini accepted the medal on his behalf in Washington, D.C., in July 2002.

The award is sometimes confused with the Congressional Gold Medal, which the United States Congress awarded Mandela in 1998. These are separate American honors: the Presidential Medal of Freedom is granted by the president, while the Congressional Gold Medal is conferred by Congress.