Congressional Gold Medal of Honor

The Congressional Gold Medal, sometimes known as the Congressional Gold Medal of Honour, is the highest award that the United States of America offers to civilians. It is awarded by Congress to an individual who, being a US citizen or not, has performed an achievement that has had a major impact on American culture and will be recognised in the awardee's field long after their death. In July of 1996, Congress, at the advice of President George Bush, awarded the medal to the current Dalai Lama. This action angered China and damaged relations between the two countries.

Behind the scenes

 * In real life, the Dalai Lama was awarded his Congressional Gold Medal on 25 September, 2006.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)