Joe Biden's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Joe Biden. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who served as the 46th president of the United States (2021-2025). As a member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 47th vice president (2009-2017) and as a U.S. Senator from Delaware (1973-2009).

Sections (7)

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

1972: Elected as U.S. Senator from Delaware

In 1972, Joe Biden defeated Republican incumbent J. Caleb Boggs to become the junior U.S. senator from Delaware.

1972: Elected to U.S. Senate

In 1972, Joe Biden was elected to the U.S. Senate, beginning his long tenure as a senator from Delaware.

1973: Elected as U.S. Senator from Delaware

In 1973, Joe Biden was elected as a U.S. Senator from Delaware, commencing his long career in the Senate.

1978: Re-elected to the U.S. Senate

In 1978, Joe Biden was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.

1984: Re-elected to the U.S. Senate

In 1984, Joe Biden was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.

1990: Re-elected to the U.S. Senate

In 1990, Joe Biden was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.

1996: Re-elected to the U.S. Senate

In 1996, Joe Biden was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.

2002: Re-elected to the U.S. Senate

In 2002, Joe Biden was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.

2008: Chosen as Barack Obama's Running Mate

In 2008, Barack Obama selected Joe Biden as his running mate, leading to their successful campaign for the presidency and vice presidency.

2008: Re-elected to the U.S. Senate

In 2008, Joe Biden was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.

2009: Became 47th Vice President of the United States

In 2009, Joe Biden assumed the role of the 47th Vice President of the United States, serving under President Barack Obama.

December 2010: Biden advocates for 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 Obama administration's compromise tax package.

February 2011: Biden completes role overseeing stimulus spending

In February 2011, Joe Biden completed his role overseeing infrastructure spending from the Obama stimulus package, reporting that fraud incidents with stimulus monies had been less than one percent.

November 2020: Biden Elected as 46th President

In November 2020, Joe Biden was elected the 46th president of the United States, defeating incumbent Donald Trump, despite Trump's false claims of widespread election fraud.

2020: Biden's victory over Trump

In 2020, the experts polled generally regarded Joe Biden's signature accomplishment as his victory over Donald Trump in the 2020 election, which was perceived as helping to protect and restore political and institutional norms in American government.

2020: Elected President of the United States

In the 2020 presidential election, Joe Biden, with Kamala Harris as his running mate, defeated Republican incumbents Donald Trump and Mike Pence to become the President of the United States.

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 78. The inauguration was a muted affair due to COVID-19 precautions and heightened security.

2021: Became 46th President of the United States

In 2021, Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States, marking a significant milestone in his political career.

2021: Real GDP Growth of 5.9% in 2021

In 2021, the U.S. experienced a real GDP growth of 5.9%.

February 2023: Unemployment Rate Falls to 53-Year Low

In February 2023, the unemployment rate fell to 3.4%, marking a 53-year low.

October 2023: Inflation Eases to 3.2% by October 2023

By October 2023, inflation had eased to 3.2% after peaking at 9.1% in June 2022.

2023: Debt Limit Deal

In 2023, Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached a deal, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, to raise the U.S. debt limit, averting a potential default. The act suspended the debt limit until January 2025 and was generally considered favorable to Biden.

February 2024: Biden Ranked as 14th-Greatest President in Poll

In February 2024, an American Political Science Association poll of historians and scholars ranked Joe Biden as the 14th-greatest president. His ranking was considered unusually high for a presidency without military victories or institutional expansion.

August 2024: 2024 Ankara Prisoner Exchange

In August 2024, Biden successfully negotiated and oversaw the 2024 Ankara prisoner exchange. This was the largest prisoner exchange since the end of the Cold War, involving the release of 26 individuals, including journalist Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan.