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 President of the United States (2021-2025). A Democrat, he represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1973 to 2009. Prior to his presidency, he served as the 47th Vice President under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. His career encompasses decades of public service in both the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government.
November 20, 1942: Birth of Joe Biden
On November 20, 1942, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was born. He would later become the 46th president of the United States.
1946: Family Moved to Garden City, New York
In 1946, Joe Biden's family purchased a home in Garden City, New York.
1953: Family Moved to Claymont, Delaware
In 1953, when Biden was ten years old, his family moved to an apartment in Claymont, Delaware.
1961: Graduated from Archmere Academy
In 1961, Joe Biden graduated from Archmere Academy.
1965: Graduated from University of Delaware
In 1965, Biden graduated from the University of Delaware.
August 27, 1966: Marriage to Neilia Hunter
On August 27, 1966, Joe Biden married Neilia Hunter in a Catholic church in Skaneateles, New York.
1968: Graduated from Syracuse University College of Law
In 1968, Biden graduated from Syracuse University College of Law.
1968: Earned Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law
In 1968, Joe Biden earned a Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law.
1968: Received Conditional Medical Deferment
In 1968, Joe Biden received a conditional medical deferment from the draft based on a physical examination.
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 a car accident. His sons Beau and Hunter were injured.
1974: Described his political positions
In 1974, 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.
June 17, 1977: Married Jill Tracy Jacobs
On June 17, 1977, Joe Biden married Jill Tracy Jacobs at the United Nations chapel in New York, and they spent their honeymoon at Lake Balaton in the Hungarian People's Republic.
1981: Birth of Daughter Ashley Biden
In 1981, Joe and Jill Biden had a daughter, Ashley Biden.
February 1988: Underwent Surgery for Intracranial Berry Aneurysm
In February 1988, Joe Biden underwent surgery to correct a leaking intracranial berry aneurysm and suffered a pulmonary embolism while recuperating.
1991: Started Co-teaching at Widener University
In 1991, Joe Biden began co-teaching a seminar on constitutional law at Widener University School of Law as an adjunct professor.
2008: Ended Co-teaching at Widener University
In 2008, Joe Biden's tenure as an adjunct professor at Widener University School of Law ended after co-teaching a seminar on constitutional law since 1991.
2008: Spokesperson revealed reason for draft deferment
In 2008, a spokesperson for Biden stated that his having had "asthma as a teenager" was the reason he received a conditional medical deferment from the draft in 1968.
May 2009: Visit to Kosovo
In May 2009, Joe Biden visited Kosovo and affirmed the U.S. position that its "independence is irreversible".
November 2009: Biden's net worth was $27,012
As of November 2009, Joe Biden's net worth was reported to be $27,012.
2015: Death of Beau Biden
In 2015, Beau Biden, Joe Biden's son, passed away from brain cancer.
February 2020: US-Taliban Agreement
In February 2020, the US-Taliban agreement set a May 1, 2021, deadline for American forces to withdraw from Afghanistan.
November 2020: Biden's net worth reached $9 million
By November 2020, Joe Biden's net worth had increased to $9 million, primarily due to sales of his books and income from speaking engagements following his vice presidency.
January 20, 2021: Biden Inaugurated as 46th President
On January 20, 2021, Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States, becoming the oldest person to assume the office at the time. The inauguration was a muted event due to COVID-19 precautions and increased security measures after the January 6 Capitol attack.
February 2021: Ending Support for Saudi-led Bombing in Yemen
In February 2021, the Biden administration announced the end of United States support for the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen and revoked the designation of Yemen's Houthis as terrorists.
June 2021: First Trip Abroad as President
In June 2021, President Biden made his first trip abroad, visiting Belgium, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. He participated in a G7 summit, a NATO summit, and an EU summit, and also held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
September 2021: Announcement of AUKUS Security Pact
In September 2021, President Biden announced AUKUS, a security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with the goal of ensuring "peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific" region.
February 2022: Russian Invasion of Ukraine and U.S. Response
In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. After weeks of warning, President Biden responded by imposing severe sanctions on Russia and authorizing over $8 billion in weapons shipments to Ukraine. He also blamed Putin for the emerging energy and food crises.
February 2022: Counterterrorism Raid in Syria
In early February 2022, President Biden ordered a counterterrorism raid in northern Syria, which resulted in the death of Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, the leader of the Islamic State.
July 21, 2022: Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19
On July 21, 2022, Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 and experienced mild symptoms. According to the White House, he was treated with Paxlovid. He worked in isolation in the White House for five days and returned to isolation when he tested positive again on July 30.
September 2022: Biden's Comments on Defending Taiwan
In a September 2022 interview, President Biden stated that U.S. forces would defend Taiwan in the event of an "unprecedented attack" by China, a comment that contrasted with the U.S. policy of "strategic ambiguity." His administration subsequently walked back these statements.
November 2022: Discovery of Classified Documents at Penn Biden Center
In November 2022, President Biden's attorneys found classified documents dating from his vice presidency in a "locked closet" at the Penn Biden Center. The documents were reported to the U.S. National Archives, which recovered them the next day.
December 2022: No TikTok on Government Devices Act
In December 2022, President Biden signed the No TikTok on Government Devices Act, which prohibited the use of TikTok on devices owned by the federal government.
2022: Congress Approves Aid to Ukraine
In 2022, Congress approved approximately $113 billion in aid to Ukraine.
January 11, 2023: House Investigative Committee into Hunter Biden's Business Activities
On January 11, 2023, the House of Representatives launched an investigative committee into the foreign business activities of President Biden's son, Hunter, and brother, James.
February 4, 2023: Shooting Down of Chinese Surveillance Balloon
On February 4, 2023, President Biden ordered the United States Air Force to shoot down a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina.
April 4, 2023: Finnish Ascension into NATO
On April 4, 2023, Finland officially ascended into NATO.
April 25, 2023: Biden Confirms Reelection Bid
On April 25, 2023, Joe Biden officially confirmed his intention to run for reelection as president in the 2024 election, with Kamala Harris as his running mate. His approval rating stood at 37 percent, with the economy being the primary concern for most Americans surveyed. During his campaign, Biden promoted higher economic growth and recovery, frequently using "finish the job" as a political rallying cry.
October 2023: Hamas Attack on Israel and U.S. Response
In October 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, leading to intensified conflict. President Biden stated his support for Israel, condemned Hamas, deployed aircraft carriers to the region, and requested $14 billion in military aid for Israel. He later pressured Israel to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and supported "humanitarian pauses."
October 2023: Biden Administration Requests Additional Aid for Ukraine
In October 2023, the Biden administration requested an additional $61.4 billion in aid for Ukraine for the coming year.
December 13, 2023: House Formalizes Impeachment Inquiry into Biden
On December 13, 2023, the House of Representatives voted 221–212 to formalize an impeachment inquiry into President Biden.
December 2023: No Evidence of Wrongdoing by Biden
As of December 2023, congressional investigations, including by the House Oversight committee, have discovered no evidence of wrongdoing by President Biden.
2023: Biden Removes Basal-Cell Carcinoma
In 2023, Joe Biden had a basal-cell carcinoma removed from his chest.
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 President Biden regarding the handling of classified documents.
February 29, 2024: Killing of Palestinian Civilians Receiving Aid
Following the killing of Palestinian civilians receiving food aid on February 29, 2024, President Biden stated that the level of aid flowing into Gaza was insufficient.
March 2024: Gallup Poll on Israeli Conduct During War
In March 2024, a Gallup poll indicated 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 protests against the Gaza war emerged on university campuses, denouncing President Biden.
April 2024: Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act
In April 2024, President Biden signed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which could ban social networking services determined to be controlled by a foreign adversary. This act specifically applies to ByteDance Ltd. and its subsidiaries.
April 2024: Additional Aid to Ukraine Approved
In April 2024, the additional $61 billion in aid to Ukraine was added after delays in the passage of further aid by the House of Representatives.
May 2024: Exception Granted for Use of Weapons Against Russia
In May 2024, President Biden granted an exception allowing Ukraine to utilize weapons against Russian military targets in the vicinity of Kharkiv for "counter-fire" purposes.
May 2024: Increased Tariffs on Chinese Imports
In May 2024, the Biden administration doubled tariffs on solar cells imported from China and more than tripled tariffs on lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries imported from China. It also raised tariffs on imports of Chinese steel, aluminum, and medical materials.
May 31, 2024: Biden's Support for Israeli Ceasefire Proposal
On May 31, 2024, President Biden announced his support for an Israeli ceasefire proposal, stating that Hamas was "no longer capable" of another large-scale attack. The proposal involved a permanent ceasefire, release of all hostages, and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
June 27, 2024: Presidential Debate Performance
On June 27, 2024, the first presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump was held. Joe Biden's performance received widespread criticism, with commentators noting that he frequently lost his train of thought and gave rambling answers. Many declared Trump the winner, and polling indicated that most viewers believed Trump won. Following the debate, questions arose about Joe Biden's health and age, leading to calls for him to withdraw from the race.
July 17, 2024: Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19 Again
On July 17, 2024, Joe Biden again tested positive for COVID-19.
August 6, 2024: Harris Confirmed as Nominee
On August 6, 2024, Kamala Harris was confirmed as the Democratic presidential nominee after Biden withdrew his candidacy. Biden cited that his withdrawal was "in the best interest of my party and the country" and endorsed Harris as his successor.
August 2024: US Aid to Afghanistan
As of August 2024, the U.S. continued to send aid to Afghanistan, remaining its biggest aid donor and spending at least $20.7 billion post-withdrawal. U.S. funding has helped support the Taliban government and stabilize Afghanistan's economy.
August 2024: Ankara Prisoner Exchange
In August 2024, President Biden negotiated and oversaw the 2024 Ankara prisoner exchange, which was the largest prisoner exchange since the end of the Cold War, involving the release of 26 people including journalist Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan.
September 25, 2024: House Resolution Condemning Afghanistan Withdrawal
On September 25, 2024, the United States House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning the Biden administration for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, with ten Democrats and all Republicans voting in favor.
November 2024: Ceasefire Agreement in Israel-Hezbollah Conflict
In November 2024, the Biden administration announced that it had helped broker a ceasefire agreement in the Israel–Hezbollah conflict.
2024: Reelection Campaign
In 2024, Joe Biden ran for reelection with Kamala Harris as his running mate.
May 18, 2025: Biden Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer
On May 18, 2025, it was announced that Joe Biden had been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer with bone metastasis, discovered during a routine physical examination. The cancer had spread from his prostate to other tissues in his body, and his urinary symptoms had also worsened.
September 4, 2025: Biden Undergoes Mohs Surgery
On September 4, 2025, it was confirmed that Joe Biden recently underwent Mohs surgery to remove skin cancer lesions from his forehead. The announcement followed his appearance with a scar and bandage after a church service in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
October 11, 2025: Biden Undergoing Cancer Treatment
On October 11, 2025, it was confirmed that Joe Biden was undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment as part of his ongoing care for prostate cancer.
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