Congressional Gold Medal
Elie is awarded the Congressional Gold Medal of Achievement for humanitarian leadership on behalf of the people of the United States. It was a prestigious and rare honor. President Reagan awarded him with it. However, it was very controversial. Reagan had planned a trip to go put a wreath on a Nazi grave. Many people told Reagan not to go, but he went anyway. The ceremony went on as planned and Wiesel was awarded the medal.
http://www.xtimeline.com/evt/view.aspx?id=233929
http://www.xtimeline.com/evt/view.aspx?id=233929
Nobel Peace Prize
Wiesel is a messenger to mankind; his message is one of peace, atonement and human dignity. His belief that the forces fighting evil in the world can be victorious is a hard-won belief. His message is based on his own personal experience of total humiliation and of the utter contempt for humanity shown in Hitler's death camps. The message is in the form of a testimony, repeated and deepened through the works of a great author.
Wiesel's commitment, which originated in the sufferings of the Jewish people, has been widened to embrace all repressed peoples and races.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee believes that Elie Wiesel, with his message and through his practical work in the cause of peace, is a convincing spokesman for the view of mankind and for the unlimited humanitarianism which are at all times necessary for a lasting and just peace. Oslo, October 14, 1986
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1986/press.html
Wiesel's commitment, which originated in the sufferings of the Jewish people, has been widened to embrace all repressed peoples and races.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee believes that Elie Wiesel, with his message and through his practical work in the cause of peace, is a convincing spokesman for the view of mankind and for the unlimited humanitarianism which are at all times necessary for a lasting and just peace. Oslo, October 14, 1986
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1986/press.html
Dayton Literary Peace Prize's- Lifetime Achievement Award
The Dayton Literary Peace Prize Committee honored Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel with the 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award. Professor Wiesel, who has written more than forty internationally acclaimed works of fiction and nonfiction, was present to receive the award in conjunction with the Dayton Literary Peace Prize ceremonies on Sunday, October 14, 2007 at The Benjamin and Marion Schuster Center for the Performing Arts in Dayton, Ohio.
Professor Wiesel’s 1958 memoir La Nuit (Night) chronicles his experiences in European concentration camps during World War II. Night has been read by millions and is included in school and college curricula globally. Wiesel was chosen because of his role as a literary and political spokesperson on behalf of Jews and other groups who have suffered persecution and death due to their religion, race, or national origin. He has been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States of America Congressional Gold Medal, the French Legion of Honor, and, in 1986, the Nobel Peace Prize. Since 1976, he has been the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University, where he also holds the title of University Professor.
“Professor Wiesel’s voice has been heard in the literary community for nearly fifty years; it is an increasingly important one for us to hear today,” said Sharon Rab at the announcement of the committee’s decision. “His tremendous contribution to the world of letters is recognized globally. We are delighted and honored that he will be able to join us to receive this special Lifetime Achievement Award.”
http://www.daytonliterarypeaceprize.org/2007-lifetime.htm
Professor Wiesel’s 1958 memoir La Nuit (Night) chronicles his experiences in European concentration camps during World War II. Night has been read by millions and is included in school and college curricula globally. Wiesel was chosen because of his role as a literary and political spokesperson on behalf of Jews and other groups who have suffered persecution and death due to their religion, race, or national origin. He has been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States of America Congressional Gold Medal, the French Legion of Honor, and, in 1986, the Nobel Peace Prize. Since 1976, he has been the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University, where he also holds the title of University Professor.
“Professor Wiesel’s voice has been heard in the literary community for nearly fifty years; it is an increasingly important one for us to hear today,” said Sharon Rab at the announcement of the committee’s decision. “His tremendous contribution to the world of letters is recognized globally. We are delighted and honored that he will be able to join us to receive this special Lifetime Achievement Award.”
http://www.daytonliterarypeaceprize.org/2007-lifetime.htm