Childhood and Education Journey of Joe Biden in Timeline
An overview of the childhood and early education of Joe Biden, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.
Joe Biden is an American politician who served as the 46th U.S. President (2021-2025). A Democrat, he was the 47th Vice President under Barack Obama (2009-2017) and a U.S. Senator representing Delaware (1973-2009). His career spans decades in public service, holding significant roles in both the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government.
November 20, 1942: Joe Biden's Birth
On November 20, 1942, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was born. He would later become the 46th President of the United States.
1946: Family Purchase of Home in Garden City
In 1946, Joe Biden's family purchased a home in Garden City, Long Island.
1953: Family move to Claymont, Delaware
In 1953, when Joe Biden was ten, his family moved to an apartment in Claymont, Delaware, before moving to a house in nearby Mayfield, Delaware.
1961: Graduation from Archmere Academy
In 1961, Joe Biden graduated from Archmere Academy in Claymont.
1965: Graduation from University of Delaware
In 1965, Joe Biden graduated from the University of Delaware.
1965: Received Bachelor of Arts Degree
In 1965, Joe Biden received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in history and political science from the University of Delaware.
August 27, 1966: Marriage to Neilia Hunter
On August 27, 1966, Joe Biden married Neilia Hunter at a Catholic church in Skaneateles, New York.
1968: Clerked at Wilmington Law Firm
In 1968, Joe Biden clerked at a Wilmington law firm headed by William Prickett.
1968: Earned Juris Doctor from Syracuse University
In 1968, Joe Biden earned a Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law.
1968: Graduation from Syracuse University College of Law
In 1968, Joe Biden graduated from the Syracuse University College of Law.
1968: Conditional Medical Deferment
In 1968, Joe Biden was given a conditional medical deferment from the military draft based on a physical examination.
1968: Lyndon B. Johnson's Withdrawal
Lyndon B. Johnson withdrew from the 1968 presidential election, and his vice president, Hubert Humphrey, lost to Richard Nixon.
1969: Practiced Law in Delaware
In 1969, Joe Biden practiced law, first as a public defender and then at a law firm, also forming his own law firm and supplementing his income by managing properties.
1969: Admitted to Delaware Bar
In 1969, Joe Biden was admitted to the Delaware bar.
1970: Ran for New Castle County Council
In 1970, Joe Biden ran for the fourth district seat on the New Castle County Council.
January 5, 1971: Took Office on New Castle County Council
On January 5, 1971, Joe Biden took office on the New Castle County Council.
December 18, 1972: Death of Wife and Daughter
On December 18, 1972, Joe Biden's wife, Neilia, and one-year-old daughter, Naomi, were killed in an automobile accident in Hockessin, Delaware.
1972: Elected to U.S. Senate
In 1972, Joe Biden was elected to the U.S. Senate representing Delaware.
January 1, 1973: End of Term on New Castle County Council
On January 1, 1973, Joe Biden's term on the New Castle County Council ended.
1974: Interview Describing Political Views
In a 1974 interview, Joe Biden described himself as liberal on civil rights and liberties, senior citizens' concerns, and healthcare, but conservative on other issues, including abortion and military conscription.
1975: Met Jill Tracy Jacobs
In 1975, Joe Biden met Jill Tracy Jacobs on a blind date.
1976: Endorsement of Jimmy Carter
In 1976, Joe Biden was the first U.S. senator to endorse Governor Jimmy Carter for president in the Democratic primary.
June 17, 1977: Marriage to Jill Tracy Jacobs
On June 17, 1977, Joe Biden married Jill Tracy Jacobs at the United Nations chapel in New York and spent their honeymoon at Lake Balaton in the Hungarian People's Republic.
1978: Re-elected to U.S. Senate
In 1978, Joe Biden was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.
1980: Carter's Reelection Loss
Jimmy Carter lost reelection in 1980 to Ronald Reagan.
1981: Birth of Ashley Biden
In 1981, Joe Biden and Jill Biden had a daughter, Ashley Biden.
1984: Re-elected to U.S. Senate
In 1984, Joe Biden was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.
February 1988: Underwent surgery for brain aneurysms
In February 1988, Joe Biden underwent surgery to correct a leaking intracranial berry aneurysm. While recuperating from the surgery, he suffered a pulmonary embolism. A second aneurysm was surgically repaired in May of the same year. His recuperation kept him away from the Senate for seven months.
1990: Re-elected to U.S. Senate
In 1990, Joe Biden was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.
1991: Began Co-teaching at Widener University
From 1991 to 2008, Joe Biden co-taught a seminar on constitutional law at Widener University School of Law as an adjunct professor, beginning in 1991.
1991: Kevin Nealon's Portrayal on Saturday Night Live
In 1991, Kevin Nealon began portraying Joe Biden on Saturday Night Live.
1993: Voted to ban gay people from military service
In 1993, Joe Biden voted for a provision that deemed homosexuality incompatible with military life, effectively banning gay people from serving in the armed forces. This stance reflected the prevailing attitudes of the time regarding LGBTQ+ rights.
1993: Tara Reade's Alleged Sexual Assault
In late March 2020, Tara Reade, one of the eight women who in 2019 had accused Joe Biden of inappropriate physical contact, accused Biden of having sexually assaulted her in 1993. There were inconsistencies between Reade's 2019 and 2020 allegations.
1996: Voted for the Defense of Marriage Act
In 1996, Joe Biden voted for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prohibited the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages and allowed states to do the same. This action barred people in same-sex marriages from equal protection under federal law. This decision has been a point of contention in his career.
1996: Re-elected to U.S. Senate
In 1996, Joe Biden was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.
2000: William Roth Defeated
In 2000, William Roth was defeated, after which Joe Biden became the senior Senator for Delaware.
2002: Re-elected to U.S. Senate
In 2002, Joe Biden was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.
2006: Biden-Gelb Iraqi federalization plan
As the ISIL insurgency in Iraq intensified in 2014, renewed attention was paid to the Biden-Gelb Iraqi federalization plan of 2006, with some observers suggesting Biden had been right all along.
2008: Ended Co-teaching at Widener University
From 1991 to 2008, Joe Biden co-taught a seminar on constitutional law at Widener University School of Law as an adjunct professor, ending in 2008.
2008: Obama Chose Biden as Running Mate
In 2008, Barack Obama chose Joe Biden as his running mate for the presidential election.
2008: Re-elected to U.S. Senate
In 2008, Joe Biden was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.
2008: Explanation of Draft Deferment
In 2008, a spokesperson for Joe Biden stated that his having had "asthma as a teenager" was the reason for his conditional medical deferment in 1968.
2008: Jason Sudeikis' Portrayal on Saturday Night Live
In 2008, during the election season, Jason Sudeikis portrayed Joe Biden on Saturday Night Live and reprised the role many times.
January 20, 2009: Sworn in as Vice President
On January 20, 2009, Joe Biden was sworn in as Vice President of the United States. He was the first vice president from Delaware and the first Roman Catholic vice president.
April 2009: Swine Flu Outbreak Response
In April 2009, Joe Biden's off-message response to a question during the beginning of the swine flu outbreak led to a swift retraction by the White House and revived his reputation for gaffes.
July 2009: Rising Unemployment Acknowledgment
In July 2009, confronted with rising unemployment, Joe Biden acknowledged that the Obama administration had "misread how bad the economy was" but maintained confidence the stimulus package would create jobs.
November 2009: Biden's Net Worth in November 2009
As of November 2009, Biden's net worth was $27,012.
2009: Afghanistan Strategy Influence
In 2009, Joe Biden's views on Afghanistan gained more influence as President Obama reconsidered his strategy. Though he initially lost an internal debate to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about sending new troops to Afghanistan, his skepticism was valued.
March 23, 2010: "A Big Fucking Deal" Remark
On March 23, 2010, a hot mic picked up Joe Biden telling President Obama that his signing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was "a big fucking deal".
December 2010: Compromise Tax Package
In December 2010, Joe Biden's advocacy for a middle ground, followed by his negotiations with Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, were instrumental in producing the administration's compromise tax package that included a temporary extension of the Bush tax cuts. The package passed as the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010.
February 2011: Completion of Infrastructure Spending Oversight
In February 2011, Joe Biden completed his role overseeing infrastructure spending from the Obama stimulus package. He reported that fraud incidents with stimulus monies had been less than one percent.
March 2011: Federal Spending Negotiations
In March 2011, President Obama delegated Joe Biden to lead negotiations with Congress to resolve federal spending levels and avoid a government shutdown.
May 2011: Alleged Opposition to bin Laden Mission
Some reports suggest that in May 2011, Joe Biden opposed proceeding with the U.S. mission to kill Osama bin Laden, lest failure adversely affect President Obama's reelection prospects.
2011: US Policy in Iraq Recedes
In 2011, with the exit of U.S. troops, Joe Biden's oversight of U.S. policy in Iraq receded.
May 2012: Expressed 'absolutely comfortable' with same-sex marriage
In May 2012, Joe Biden's statement that he was "absolutely comfortable" with same-sex marriage gained considerable public attention. This put pressure on Obama to clarify his own stance. Within days, Obama announced that he too supported same-sex marriage, an action in part forced by Biden's remarks.
August 2012: Remarks on Wall Street Regulations
In August 2012, during the reelection campaign, Joe Biden made a controversial remark to a mixed-race audience stating that Republican proposals to relax Wall Street regulations would "put y'all back in chains". This drew attention to his tendency for colorful language.
September 11, 2012: Benghazi Attack Response
During the vice-presidential debate on October 11, Joe Biden responded to an attack by Paul Ryan on the Obama administration's response to the September 11, 2012, attacks on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi by using the phrase "a bunch of malarkey".
December 2012: Gun Violence Task Force
In December 2012, President Obama named Joe Biden to head the Gun Violence Task Force, created to address the causes of school shootings and consider possible gun control measures in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
2012: Biden Supports Same-Sex Marriage
Biden has supported same-sex marriage since 2012, a shift from his earlier stance in the Senate.
2012: Iraq Policy Oversight
By 2012, Joe Biden had made eight trips to Iraq, overseeing U.S. policy there as the administration's point man, delivering messages to Iraqi leadership about expected progress.
January 20, 2013: Inauguration to Second Term
On January 20, 2013, Joe Biden was inaugurated to a second term as Vice President at a small ceremony at Number One Observatory Circle, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor presiding.
October 2013: Cut Out of Appropriations Act Discussions
Joe Biden played little part in discussions that led to the October 2013 passage of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014, which resolved the federal government shutdown of 2013 and the debt-ceiling crisis of 2013. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other Democratic leaders cut him out of direct talks with Congress.
2013: Negotiating the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012
During the final days before the United States fell off the "fiscal cliff" in December 2012, Joe Biden's relationship with Mitch McConnell again proved important as the two negotiated a deal that led to the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 being passed at the start of 2013.
2013: Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization
In 2013, the Violence Against Women Act, championed by Joe Biden, was reauthorized again, leading to related developments like the White House Council on Women and Girls.
January 2014: White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault
In January 2014, the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault was established, with Joe Biden and Valerie Jarrett as co-chairs.
2014: ISIL Insurgency Attention
As the ISIL insurgency in Iraq intensified in 2014, renewed attention was paid to the Biden-Gelb Iraqi federalization plan of 2006, with some observers suggesting Biden had been right all along.
2014: Continuing Appropriations Act Passage
Joe Biden played little part in discussions that led to the October 2013 passage of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014, which resolved the federal government shutdown of 2013 and the debt-ceiling crisis of 2013.
2015: Death of Beau Biden
After the 2015 death of his elder son Beau, Biden has been noted for his empathetic nature and ability to communicate about grief.
2015: Uncertainty About Running
By late 2015, Joe Biden was still uncertain about running for president. He felt his son Beau's recent death had largely drained his emotional energy.
2015: Defense of Marriage Act ruled unconstitutional
In 2015, the Defense of Marriage Act, which Joe Biden voted for in 1996, was ruled unconstitutional in Obergefell v. Hodges. This landmark Supreme Court decision legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, effectively overturning DOMA.
2015: Encouragement for 2016 Presidential Bid
In mid-2015, Joe Biden's family, friends, and donors encouraged him to enter the race for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination. A "Draft Biden 2016" PAC was established.
2016: Likely Candidate for President
Between 2016 and 2019, media outlets often mentioned Joe Biden as a likely candidate for president in 2020. When asked if he would run, he gave varied and ambivalent answers, saying "never say never".
2016: Consideration for 2016 Presidential Nomination
During his second term, Joe Biden was often said to be preparing for a bid for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination.
2016: Greg Kinnear's Portrayal in Confirmation
In 2016, Greg Kinnear portrayed Joe Biden in the HBO television film Confirmation, which was about the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court nomination hearings.
2016: Remarks at 88th Academy Awards
In 2016, Joe Biden spoke about sexual violence while introducing Lady Gaga at the 88th Academy Awards, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.
2016: Decision Not to Run for President
On October 21, Joe Biden announced his decision not to run for president in 2016.
2017: Memoir "Promise Me, Dad"
In 2017, Joe Biden wrote a memoir, Promise Me, Dad, and went on a book tour.
![[Joe Biden] Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose - Hardcover](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41qecnch4uL._SL500_.jpg "[Joe Biden] Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose - Hardcover")
January 2018: Time for Biden PAC Formed
In January 2018, a political action committee known as Time for Biden was formed.
2018: Eulogy for Senator John McCain
In 2018, Joe Biden gave a eulogy for Senator John McCain.
March 2019: Accusations of Inappropriate Physical Contact
In March 2019, eight women accused Joe Biden of inappropriate physical contact, such as embracing, touching, or kissing.
April 2019: Pledge to Respect Personal Space
In April 2019, Joe Biden pledged to be more "respectful of people's personal space" after accusations of inappropriate physical contact.
April 25, 2019: 2020 Campaign Launch
On April 25, 2019, Joe Biden launched his campaign for president, saying he was worried by the Trump administration and felt a "sense of duty".
September 2019: Trump Pressures Zelenskyy
In September 2019, it was reported that President Trump had pressured Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to investigate alleged wrongdoing by Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, resulting in a political scandal and Trump's impeachment.
2019: Honorary Professorship at University of Pennsylvania
After leaving the vice presidency, Joe Biden became an honorary professor at the University of Pennsylvania, developing the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement. Biden remained in that position into 2019.
2019: Earnings from Speaking Engagements and Book Sales
By 2019, Joe Biden and his wife reported that they had earned over $15 million since the end of his vice presidency from speaking engagements and book sales.
2019: Regretted his treatment of Anita Hill
In 2019, Joe Biden told Anita Hill he regretted his treatment of her during Clarence Thomas's nomination hearings in 1991. However, Hill stated afterward that she remained unsatisfied with his apology.
2019: Tara Reade's Accusation of Inappropriate Physical Contact
In late March 2020, Tara Reade, one of the eight women who in 2019 had accused Joe Biden of inappropriate physical contact, accused Biden of having sexually assaulted her in 1993. There were inconsistencies between Reade's 2019 and 2020 allegations.
2019: South Carolina Primary Win
Throughout 2019, Joe Biden stayed generally ahead of other Democrats in national polls. However, Joe Biden won the South Carolina primary by more than 28 points.
March 2020: Tara Reade's Sexual Assault Accusation
In late March 2020, Tara Reade, who had accused Joe Biden of inappropriate physical contact in 2019, accused Biden of having sexually assaulted her in 1993. Biden and his campaign denied the sexual assault allegation.
April 8, 2020: Sanders Suspends Campaign
On April 8, 2020, Bernie Sanders suspended his campaign, making Joe Biden the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee.
August 18, 2020: Official Democratic Party Nominee
On August 18, 2020, at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Joe Biden officially became the Democratic Party nominee for president in the 2020 election.
November 2020: Biden's Net Worth in November 2020
By November 2020, the Bidens were worth $9 million, largely due to sales of Biden's books and speaking fees after his vice presidency.
2020: Polling Against Trump
As the 2020 campaign season heated up, public polling showed Joe Biden as one of the best-performing Democratic candidates head-to-head against President Trump.
2020: Likely Candidate for President
Between 2016 and 2019, media outlets often mentioned Joe Biden as a likely candidate for president in 2020. When asked if he would run, he gave varied and ambivalent answers, saying "never say never".
2020: "Malarkey" Reused
During his 2020 presidential campaign, Joe Biden reused the phrase "a bunch of malarkey".
2020: Multiple Portrayals on Saturday Night Live
During the 2020 election season, Joe Biden was portrayed by John Mulaney, Alex Moffat, Mikey Day, Woody Harrelson, and Jim Carrey on Saturday Night Live.
2020: Biden's stance on cannabis decriminalization
In 2020, Biden ran on decriminalizing cannabis, after advocating harsher penalties for drug use as a U.S. senator.
January 20, 2021: Biden Inaugurated as President
On January 20, 2021, Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States. At 78, he became the oldest person to assume the office, the second Catholic president, and the first president whose home state is Delaware.
July 21, 2022: Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19
On July 21, 2022, Biden tested positive for COVID-19 with reportedly mild symptoms and was treated with Paxlovid.
July 30, 2022: Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19 Again
On July 30, 2022, Biden tested positive for COVID-19 again and returned to isolation.
December 2022: No TikTok on Government Devices Act
In December 2022, Biden signed the No TikTok on Government Devices Act, prohibiting the use of TikTok on devices owned by the federal government.
2022: Congress Approves Aid to Ukraine
In 2022, Congress approved about $113 billion in aid to Ukraine.
February 4, 2023: Shooting Down of Chinese Surveillance Balloon
On February 4, 2023, Biden ordered the United States Air Force to shoot down a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina, leading to further damage in U.S.-China relations.
April 4, 2023: Finnish ascension into NATO
Finnish ascension into NATO occurred on April 4, 2023.
April 25, 2023: Biden Confirms Reelection Run
On April 25, 2023, Biden confirmed he would run for reelection as president in the 2024 election, with Harris as his running mate. His approval rating was 37 percent, and he promoted higher economic growth and recovery during his campaign.
October 2023: Hamas Attack on Israel and U.S. Response
In October 2023, following the Hamas attack on Israel, Biden affirmed U.S. support for Israel, deployed aircraft carriers, and requested $14 billion in military aid. He pressured Israel to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and supported "humanitarian pauses".
October 2023: Biden Requests Additional Aid for Ukraine
In October 2023, the Biden administration requested an additional $61.4 billion in aid for Ukraine for the year ahead, but passage was delayed by the House of Representatives.
February 8, 2024: Hur Announces No Charges Against Biden
On February 8, 2024, special counsel Robert K. Hur announced that no charges would be brought against Biden regarding the handling of classified documents.
February 29, 2024: Biden on Aid to Gaza
Following the killing of Palestinian civilians receiving food aid on February 29, 2024, Biden stated that the current level of aid flowing into Gaza was insufficient.
March 7, 2024: Formal Swedish Ascension into NATO
Biden led diplomatic talks resulting in formal Swedish ascension into NATO on March 7, 2024.
March 2024: American Disapproval of Israeli Conduct
A March 2024 Gallup poll found that a strong majority of Americans disapproved of Israeli conduct during the war.
April 2024: Gaza War Protests on University Campuses
Beginning in April 2024, widespread Gaza war protests emerged on university campuses, denouncing Biden.
April 2024: Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act
In April 2024, Biden signed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which could ban social networking services like ByteDance Ltd. if deemed controlled by foreign adversaries.
April 2024: Additional Aid to Ukraine
In April 2024, the additional $61 billion in aid to Ukraine was added.
May 2024: Biden's Continued Support for Israel
As of May 2024, Biden continued to support Israel during the war, despite domestic opposition and protests.
May 2024: Limited Use of Weapons Against Russia
In May 2024, Biden granted Ukraine an exception to use weapons against Russian military targets in the vicinity of Kharkiv for "counter-fire" purposes, after consistently refusing Ukrainian requests to use weapons against Russian military targets inside Russia.
May 2024: Increased Tariffs on Chinese Imports
In May 2024, the Biden administration doubled tariffs on solar cells and more than tripled tariffs on lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries imported from China, also raising tariffs on steel, aluminum, and medical materials.
May 31, 2024: Biden Supports Israeli Ceasefire Proposal
On May 31, 2024, Biden announced his support for an Israeli ceasefire proposal, which would establish a permanent ceasefire, release all hostages, and reconstruct the Gaza Strip, stating that Hamas was "no longer capable" of another large-scale attack.
July 17, 2024: Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19 Again
On July 17, 2024, Biden tested positive for COVID-19 again.
August 2024: U.S. Aid to Afghanistan
As of August 2024, the U.S. remained the biggest aid donor to Afghanistan, having spent at least $20.7 billion post-withdrawal. U.S. funding helped support the Taliban government and stabilize Afghanistan's economy during this period.
December 2024: Biden Pardoned Hunter Biden
In December 2024, Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden following his conviction on gun and tax charges.
2024: Biden Reelection Campaign
During his campaign in 2024, Biden promoted higher economic growth and recovery.
2024: Dana Carvey's Portrayal on Saturday Night Live
In 2024, Dana Carvey played the role of Joe Biden on Saturday Night Live.
January 9, 2025: Biden's Eulogy for Jimmy Carter
On January 9, 2025, Joe Biden eulogized Jimmy Carter, who died on December 29, 2024.
January 20, 2025: End of Biden's Term and Move to Wilmington
On January 20, 2025, Biden's term ended with Trump's second inauguration, and Biden moved back to Wilmington, Delaware. He later signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to represent him in public engagements.
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