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 served as the 46th President of the United States (2021-2025). A Democrat, he previously represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1973 to 2009. He also served as the 47th Vice President under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017.

Sections (7)

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

1975: Murder of FBI agents

In 1975, FBI agents were murdered and Leonard Peltier was convicted for those murders. Biden commuted Peltier's sentence to house arrest in December 2024.

1991: Kevin Nealon Portrays Biden on Saturday Night Live

In 1991, Kevin Nealon was the first person to portray Joe Biden on Saturday Night Live.

Loading Video...

2008: Jason Sudeikis Portrays Biden on Saturday Night Live

In 2008, Jason Sudeikis portrayed Joe Biden on Saturday Night Live during the election.

Loading Video...

2012: Biden Supports Same-Sex Marriage

Joe Biden has supported same-sex marriage since 2012.

2015: Obergefell v. Hodges

In 2015, the Defense of Marriage Act, which Joe Biden voted for in 1996, was ruled unconstitutional in Obergefell v. Hodges.

2016: Greg Kinnear Portrays Biden in Confirmation

In 2016, Greg Kinnear portrayed Joe Biden in the HBO television film Confirmation, about the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court nomination hearings.

Loading Video...

2016: Biden Appears in Law & Order: SVU

Joe Biden appears as himself in a 2016 episode of Law & Order: SVU.

Loading Video...

2017: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

Joe Biden proposed partially reversing the corporate tax cuts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

2019: Biden Supported Roe v. Wade and Repealing the Hyde Amendment

In 2019, Joe Biden said he supported Roe v. Wade and repealing the Hyde Amendment.

2020: Biden Portrayed by Several Actors on Saturday Night Live

During the 2020 election, Joe Biden was played by John Mulaney, Alex Moffat, Mikey Day, Woody Harrelson, and Jim Carrey on Saturday Night Live.

Loading Video...

2020: Biden Ran on Decriminalizing Cannabis

In 2020, Joe Biden ran on decriminalizing cannabis, after advocating harsher penalties for drug use as a senator.

2021: Judicial Appointments

By the end of 2021, Biden had 40 nominees to the federal judiciary confirmed, and he prioritized diversity in his appointments, with most being women and people of color.

2021: Biden Officially Recognized the Armenian Genocide

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

2021: Biden Revokes Trump's Security Clearance

In 2021, President Joe Biden revoked Donald Trump's security clearance for his role in inciting the January 6 Capitol attack. This action was a reversal of traditional practices.

October 2022: Pardons for Cannabis Possession

In October 2022, Biden pardoned all Americans convicted of "small" amounts of cannabis possession under federal law.

2022: House Passed Bill Codifying Roe

In 2022, Joe Biden vowed to sign a bill codifying the protections of Roe v Wade into federal law; such a bill passed the House in 2022, but was unable to clear the Senate filibuster.

2022: Biden's Political Skill

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

2022: Siena College Survey Ranks Biden 19th out of 45 Presidents

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

October 2023: Domestic Oil Production Reached Record High

Despite Joe Biden's clean energy policies and congressional Republicans characterizing them as a "War on American Energy", domestic oil production reached a record high in October 2023.

December 2023: Pardons for Cannabis Use

In December 2023, Biden pardoned Americans for cannabis use or possession on federal lands regardless of whether they had been charged or prosecuted.

February 2024: Biden Ranked 14th-Greatest President

A February 2024 American Political Science Association poll of historians and scholars also ranked Joe Biden the 14th-greatest president, diverging from public assessments.

December 2024: Clemency Act

In December 2024, Biden granted clemency to about 1,500 nonviolent felons in home confinement.

2024: Dana Carvey Portrays Biden on Saturday Night Live

In 2024, Dana Carvey played the role of Joe Biden on Saturday Night Live.

Loading Video...

January 20, 2025: End of Biden's Presidential Term

On January 20, 2025, Joe Biden's term as President of the United States ended. At the end of his presidency, Biden designated former senior advisors to raise funds for his presidential library.