Steve Jobs will receive Medal of Freedom

The Apple founder will posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday.   

The highest honor

Imagine changing the face of history with a single piece of fruit. Steve Jobs, genius and enigma, knew exactly what that was like. By founding Apple and leading the development of the iPod and iPhone, Jobs’ impact on the way we interact with technology is unmatched.

It makes sense then, that he’s on President Biden’s list to posthumously receive the Medal of Freedom later this week – the highest civilian honor. The White House says that recipients “embody the soul of the nation”, and who can argue that Jobs did anything but that when most of us still carry his products around in our pockets today.

Believe in Steve

While Apple feels like a 21st century phenomenon, Jobs founded the company back in 1976. Between then and his death in 2011, giants like Jobs moulded technology and changed its course irrevocably. He once said that “the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” And boy, did he.

Alongside Jobs, 16 other US citizens will be presented with the Medal of Freedom on Thursday. That list includes the late Sen. John McCain, soccer star Megan Rapinoe, and actor Denzel Washington. With division currently rife throughout much of the US, it’s a cathartic experience to dwell on this list for a moment and embrace the best of what this country has to offer.