History of Kennedy Center Honors in Timeline

The Kennedy Center Honors are annual awards recognizing individuals and groups for their significant contributions to American performing arts and culture. Established in 1978, the honors are presented each December at a gala in the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C. Typically, five honorees are selected each year, representing various artistic disciplines. While primarily awarded to individuals, duos, musical groups, a Broadway musical, a television show, and a performing arts venue have also been recognized.

1977: Inception of Kennedy Center Honors idea

In 1977, the idea for the Kennedy Center Honors was conceived following the 10th-anniversary White House reception and Kennedy Center program for the American Film Institute (AFI).

1978: George Stevens Jr. produced first gala

In 1978, George Stevens Jr., along with Nick Vanoff, produced the inaugural Kennedy Center Honors gala.

1978: Leonard Bernstein hosts

In 1978, Leonard Bernstein was the first host of the Kennedy Center Honors.

1978: First Kennedy Center Honors

In 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors were first presented, marking the beginning of an annual tradition that celebrates individuals in the performing arts for their contributions to American culture.

1979: Eric Sevareid hosts

In 1979, Eric Sevareid hosted the Kennedy Center Honors, with Gene Kelly closing the show.

1979: Jimmy Carter absence

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter did not attend the Kennedy Center Honors due to the Iran hostage crisis; First Lady Rosalynn Carter attended in his place.

1980: Beverly Sills hosts

In 1980, Beverly Sills hosted the Kennedy Center Honors.

1981: Walter Cronkite hosts

In 1981, Walter Cronkite began his long tenure as host of the Kennedy Center Honors.

1985: Awards presented to duos or groups

Since 1985, on 13 occasions awards have been presented to duos or groups, including Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, and Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.

1987: Special tribute paid to Irving Berlin

In 1987, the Kennedy Center chose to pay special tribute to Irving Berlin at the Gala, as he was in failing health and could not attend a public event.

May 1988: Berlin's potential milestone birthday

When considering Irving Berlin for the 1987 awards because of criticism for overlooking him, the center was informed that Berlin wanted to be honored only if he surpassed his 100th birthday (which would not be until May 1988).

1989: Death of Irving Berlin

In 1989, Irving Berlin passed away.

1989: George H.W. Bush absence

In 1989, President George H. W. Bush did not attend the Kennedy Center Honors because of a trip to Brussels; First Lady Barbara Bush attended in his place.

1990: Katharine Hepburn accepts honor

In 1990, Katharine Hepburn relented and accepted the Kennedy Center honor after declining the committee's first offer.

1994: Bill Clinton absence

In 1994, President Bill Clinton did not attend the Kennedy Center Honors due to a trip to Budapest; First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton attended in his place.

1998: Award given to Bill Cosby

In 1998, an award was given to Bill Cosby, a stand-up comedian and actor.

2002: Walter Cronkite's last year

2002 marked Walter Cronkite's last year hosting the Kennedy Center Honors.

2002: Paul McCartney unable to attend

In 2002, Paul McCartney was selected as an Honoree but was unable to attend due to his cousin's wedding.

2003: Caroline Kennedy hosts

In 2003, Caroline Kennedy began her time as host of the Kennedy Center Honors.

2003: McCartney not awarded

In 2003, the Kennedy Center did not give the award to Paul McCartney after initially saying his award would be postponed until the following year.

2009: Mel Brooks honored

Mel Brooks was honored in 2009, the first year Barack Obama was president, after refusing the honor during George W. Bush's presidency.

2010: McCartney becomes honoree

In 2010, Paul McCartney was honored.

2012: Caroline Kennedy's last year

2012 was Caroline Kennedy's final year as host of the Kennedy Center Honors.

2013: Glenn Close hosts

In 2013, Glenn Close hosted the Kennedy Center Honors.

2014: George Stevens Jr. sells production rights

In 2014, George Stevens Jr. concluded his tenure as producer and co-writer of the Kennedy Center Honors after selling the production rights to the Kennedy Center.

2014: Stephen Colbert hosts

In 2014, Stephen Colbert started his stint as host of the Kennedy Center Honors.

November 2015: Eagles postpone Honors acceptance

In November 2015, the Eagles postponed their Kennedy Center Honors acceptance until the following year due to Glenn Frey's health problems.

2015: Obama's late arrival

In 2015, President Barack Obama joined First Lady Michelle Obama late at the gala performance after addressing the nation in a live telecast from the White House.

2015: White Cherry Entertainment became Executive Producers

In 2015, Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment became the Executive Producers of the Kennedy Center Honors.

January 18, 2016: Death of Glenn Frey

On January 18, 2016, Glenn Frey of the Eagles passed away.

2016: Last attendance by a sitting president and first lady

2016 was the last time a sitting president and first lady had attended the event before 2021.

2016: Stephen Colbert hosts

In 2016, Stephen Colbert hosted the Kennedy Center Honors.

December 3, 2017: 2017 ceremony held

On December 3, 2017, the 2017 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony was held without President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, with Caroline Kennedy as the host.

2017: Caroline Kennedy delivers an introduction

In 2017, there was no formal host, but Caroline Kennedy delivered an introduction at the Kennedy Center Honors.

2017: President did not attend the gala

Prior to 2017, there had been three occasions in which the president did not attend the gala performance.

2018: Special award presented to creators of Hamilton

At the 2018 ceremony, a special award was presented to Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Andy Blankenbuehler and Alex Lacamoire, the creators of the musical "Hamilton" for their trailblazing work.

2018: Bill Cosby's award rescinded

In 2018, Bill Cosby's award from 1998 was rescinded following his sexual assault conviction.

2018: Gloria Estefan hosts

In 2018, Gloria Estefan hosted the Kennedy Center Honors.

2018: Trump's Absence in 2018

In 2018, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump did not participate in any of the events of the Kennedy Center Honors.

2019: Television program was honored

For the first time, in 2019 the honorees included a television program. The co-founders of Sesame Street, Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett, accepted the Kennedy Center Honors on behalf of all the creators.

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2019: LL Cool J hosts

In 2019, LL Cool J hosted the Kennedy Center Honors.

2019: Trump's Absence in 2019

In 2019, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump did not participate in any of the events of the Kennedy Center Honors.

2019: Kennedy Center Honors aired early

In 2019, the Kennedy Center Honors aired on regular television in early December, a departure from the traditional broadcast between Christmas and New Year's. It was later available on CBS All Access.

2020: Changes imposed on the delayed and abbreviated 2020 edition

Because of changes imposed on the delayed and abbreviated 2020 edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed that year's Honorees to the White House in May 2021 but did not attend any other events.

2020: 2020 edition postponed

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 edition of the Kennedy Center Honors was postponed.

May 2021: Honorees welcomed to the White House

In May 2021, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed the 2020 Kennedy Center Honorees to the White House, although they did not attend other events due to changes imposed on the 2020 edition of the Kennedy Center Honors.

May 22, 2021: Kennedy Center Honors held

Between May 17 and May 22, 2021, the postponed 2020 Kennedy Center Honors were held.

June 6, 2021: Broadcast aired

On June 6, 2021, the edited broadcast of the Kennedy Center Honors was aired.

December 5, 2021: Biden's attendance at gala performance

On December 5, 2021, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden attended the gala performance, marking the first time since 2016 that a sitting president and first lady had attended the event.

2021: Gloria Estefan and David Letterman host

In 2021, Gloria Estefan and David Letterman hosted the Kennedy Center Honors.

2022: Former honorees introduce the honorees.

In 2022, there was no formal host, but several former honorees delivered an introduction.

2023: Gloria Estefan hosts

In 2023, Gloria Estefan hosted the Kennedy Center Honors.

2024: 255 people awarded

As of 2024, 255 people have been awarded the Kennedy Center Honors, as well as two special awards.

2024: Queen Latifah hosts

In 2024, Queen Latifah hosted the Kennedy Center Honors.

2024: Apollo Theater honored

In 2024, a special award was given to the Apollo Theater in New York City, marking the first time an institution was awarded at the Kennedy Center Honors.