How Joe Biden Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A closer look at the lasting mark left by Joe Biden—a timeline of influence.

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.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

2014: The New Yorker on Biden's embellishments

According to The New Yorker in 2014, Biden often embellishes elements of his life or exaggerates.

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: 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.

August 2016: Visit to Serbia

In August 2016, Joe Biden visited Serbia, where he met with the Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić and expressed condolences for civilian victims of the bombing campaign during the Kosovo War.

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.

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

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2018: Biden calls himself "a gaffe machine"

Biden has a reputation for being prone to gaffes, and in 2018 called himself "a gaffe machine".

2018: Eulogy for Senator John McCain

In 2018, Joe Biden gave a eulogy for Senator John McCain.

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.

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: Called Role in Passing Crime Bill a "Big Mistake"

In 2019, Joe Biden called his role in passing the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act a "big mistake", saying it "trapped an entire generation".

2020: Biden's victory over Trump

Historians and scholars regarded Biden's signature accomplishment as his victory over Trump in the 2020 election.

2020: Biden as "healer-in-chief"

In 2020, CNN wrote that his presidential campaign aimed to make him "healer-in-chief", while The New York Times described his extensive history of being called upon to give eulogies.

2021: Biden Officially Recognizes the Armenian Genocide

In 2021, Biden officially recognized the Armenian genocide, becoming the first U.S. president to do so.

2022: Journalist Sasha Issenberg on Biden's Political Skill

In 2022, journalist Sasha Issenberg wrote that Biden's "most valuable political skill" was "an innate compass for the ever-shifting mainstream of the Democratic Party".

2022: Siena College Research Institute Ranking

In 2022, the Siena College Research Institute's survey ranked Joe Biden 19th out of 45 presidents.

February 2024: Historians and Scholars Rank Biden as the 14th-Greatest President

In February 2024, an American Political Science Association poll of historians and scholars ranked Biden as the 14th-greatest president, noting that his ranking was unusually high given the absence of military victories or institutional expansion and the presence of personal scandals.

December 1, 2024: Pardon Issued to Hunter Biden

On December 1, 2024, President Biden issued a "full and unconditional" pardon to Hunter Biden, covering all federal offenses between 2014 and December 1, 2024.

2024: Biden's Senate Tenure

As of 2024, Joe Biden was the 19th-longest-serving senator in U.S. history.

2024: Presidential Greatness Project Expert Survey Ranking

The 2024 Presidential Greatness Project Expert survey ranked Joe Biden the 14th best president.

January 2025: Final Approval Rating

In January 2025, Gallup reported that Joe Biden's final approval rating was 40%, which was low, but still higher than several other presidents' final approval ratings.

January 2025: Public Perception of Biden's Presidency

In January 2025, an AP-NORC poll found that Americans viewed Joe Biden's presidency less favorably than they did Barack Obama's at the end of his second term or Donald Trump's at the end of his first.