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.

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

1972: Elected as U.S. Senator

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

1984: Comprehensive Crime Control Act

In 1984, Joe Biden was a Democratic floor manager for the successful passage of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act. Supporters praised him for modifying some of the law's worst provisions.

February 1988: Surgery for Intracranial Berry Aneurysm

In February 1988, Joe Biden underwent surgery to correct a leaking intracranial berry aneurysm. While recuperating, he suffered a pulmonary embolism.

2008: Chosen as Running Mate

In 2008, Barack Obama chose Joe Biden as his running mate.

February 2011: Completed Stimulus Package Oversight

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

November 2020: Biden Elected President

In November 2020, Joe Biden was elected as the 46th President of the United States, defeating incumbent Donald Trump. Trump made false claims of widespread election fraud.

2020: Won Presidential Election

In 2020, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris defeated Donald Trump and Mike Pence in the presidential election.

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 was the oldest person to assume the presidency at that time.

2021: American Rescue Plan Act Signed into Law

In 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into law. This was a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package designed to help the United States recover from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Strong Real GDP Growth

In 2021, the US experienced robust growth in real GDP at 5.9%.

January 2022: Minimum Wage Increase for Federal Contractors

In January 2022, an executive order signed by Biden to increase the minimum wage for federal contractors to $15 per hour went into effect for 390,000 workers.

February 2022: Counterterrorism raid in Syria

In early February 2022, President Biden ordered a counterterrorism raid in northern Syria, resulting in the death of Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, the second leader of the Islamic State.

April 2022: Biden Signs Postal Service Reform Act

In April 2022, Joe Biden signed into law the bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act of 2022. This was done to revamp the finances and operations of the United States Postal Service agency.

June 25, 2022: Biden Signs Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

On June 25, 2022, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law, which aimed to address gun reform issues following the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

August 9, 2022: Biden Signs CHIPS and Science Act

On August 9, 2022, President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act into law, allocating billions of dollars for domestic research and manufacturing of semiconductors.

August 10, 2022: Honoring our PACT Act Signed into Law

On August 10, 2022, President Biden signed the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 into law. The act intended to improve healthcare access and funding for veterans exposed to toxic substances during military service.

2022: Biden Signs Respect for Marriage Act

In 2022, Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act, which repealed the Defense of Marriage Act and requires federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages.

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.

February 2023: Unemployment Rate Falls to 53-Year Low

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

April 4, 2023: Finnish Ascension into NATO

On April 4, 2023, Finland formally ascended into NATO.

October 2023: Easing Inflation Rate

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

2023: Debt Limit Deal

In 2023, Biden and congressional Republicans faced a standoff over the U.S. debt limit. They reached a deal, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which Biden signed to suspend the debt limit until January 2025, averting a potential default.

February 8, 2024: No Charges Brought Against Biden in Classified Documents Case

On February 8, 2024, Special Counsel Robert Hur announced that no charges would be brought against President Biden regarding the handling of classified documents.

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.

March 7, 2024: Swedish Ascension into NATO

On March 7, 2024, Sweden formally ascended into NATO, after President Biden led diplomatic talks to overcome opposition by Turkey and Hungary.

August 2024: Negotiation of 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.