April 29, 1969: On April 29, 1969, Duke Ellington’s 70th Birthday, President Richard Nixon honored the music legend with a White House dinner and ceremony, and awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Commentary provided by Willis Conover on Duke Ellington and his music with a focus on Ellington’s performance at the White House.
Video courtesy of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum/NARA
Motion Film File Collection
MFF #208