  the kennedy center honors is an annual honor given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to american culture. the honors have been presented annually since 1978 in washington, d.c., during gala weekend-long events that culminate in a performance honoring the honorees at the kennedy center opera house."about the honors" kennedy center, accessed september 6, 2011 the honors were created by george stevens, jr., and the late nick vanoff. stevens remains involved as producer and co-writer for the honors gala. in 1981â2002 and 2004, the ceremony was hosted by walter cronkite.keller, julie."kennedy honors feel good" e! online.com, august 5, 2003 in 2003 and 2005â2012, it was hosted by caroline kennedy. it is also one of two holiday specials from stevens's production company (the other being christmas in washington). ==history== the kennedy center honors started in 1977, in the wake of that year's 10th-anniversary white house reception and kennedy center program for the american film institute (afi). roger stevens, the founding chairman of the kennedy center, asked george stevens, jr., (no relation), the founding director of the afi, to have an event for the center. george stevens asked isaac stern to become involved, and then "pitched" the idea to the television network cbs, who "bought it." with the announcement of the first honors event and honorees, cbs vice president for specials bernie sofronski stated: "george [stevens] came to us with this. what turned us on is that this is the only show of its kind. in europe and most countries they have ways of honoring their actors and their athletes. england has its command performances for the queen. we see this as a natio
1978_establishments_in_Washington,_D.C. Arts_awards Awards_established_in_1978 Christmas_television_specials Culture_of_Washington,_D.C. Kennedy_Center_honorees Lifetime_achievement_awards Lists_of_award_winners Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Variety_Series_winners