County Council Election
Wins election to New Castle County Council.
Role range: 1970-1972
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Joseph Robinette Biden Biography and Timeline
Follow Joseph Robinette Biden through 104 dated historical records for United States of America.
Joseph Robinette Biden, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
104Distinct records
1 of 3Page
1970–2021Years on this page
1970
1972
Senate Election Victory
Defeats Senator J. Caleb Boggs in Delaware.
Role range: 1972-1973
1973
Senator of Delaware
Is sworn in as United States Senator from Delaware.
Role range: 1973-2009
1974
Freshman Senator
Begins building a Senate profile on foreign and judiciary issues.
Role range: 1973-2009
1975
Senate Judiciary Committee
Serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Role range: 1973-2009
1979
SALT II Debate
Participates in Senate debate over strategic arms control.
Role range: 1973-2009
1981
Foreign Relations Work
Develops a Senate role in foreign policy debates.
Role range: 1973-2009
1987
1988 Campaign Announcement
Announces a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Role range: 1987-1988 – 1973-2009
1988 Campaign Withdrawal
Withdraws from the 1988 presidential race.
Role range: 1987-1988 – 1973-2009
1991
Clarence Thomas Hearings
Chairs Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Clarence Thomas.
Role range: 1987-1995
2001
Foreign Relations Chairman
Becomes chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Role range: 2001-2003
2002
Iraq War Authorization Vote
Votes for the Iraq war authorization.
Role range: 1973-2009
2007
2008 Campaign Announcement
Announces a presidential campaign for 2008.
Role range: 2007-2008 – 1973-2009
2008
2008 Campaign Withdrawal
Withdraws after the Iowa caucuses.
Role range: 2007-2008 – 1973-2009
Vice Presidential Candidate
Is introduced as Barack Obama's Democratic running mate.
Role range: 2008-2008 – 1973-2009
Democratic Convention Nomination
Is nominated for vice president at the Democratic convention.
Role range: 2008-2008 – 1973-2009
Vice Presidential Debate
Debates Sarah Palin during the campaign.
Role range: 2008-2008 – 1973-2009
Vice President Elect
Is elected vice president on Barack Obama's ticket.
Role range: 2008-2009 – 2009-2017
2009
Vice President of USA
Is sworn in as vice president of the United States.
Role range: 2009-2017 – 2009-2017
Recovery Act Oversight
Helps oversee implementation of the Recovery Act.
Role range: 2009-2017 – 2009-2017
2010
Affordable Care Act
Attends signing of the Affordable Care Act.
Role range: 2009-2017 – 2009-2017
2011
Iraq Withdrawal
Marks the end of the U.S. military mission in Iraq.
Role range: 2009-2017 – 2009-2017
2012
Vice Presidential Debate
Debates Paul Ryan during the 2012 campaign.
Role range: 2012-2012 – 2009-2017
Reelection
Is reelected vice president with Barack Obama.
Role range: 2012-2012 – 2009-2017
2013
Gun Violence Task Force
Leads administration work on gun violence proposals.
Role range: 2009-2017 – 2009-2017
2015
2016 Race Declined
Announces he will not run for president in 2016.
Role range: 2015-2015 – 2009-2017
2017
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction.
Role range: 2009-2017 – 2009-2017
2019
2020 Campaign Announcement
Announces his 2020 presidential campaign.
Role range: 2019-2020 – 2017-2021
2020
South Carolina Primary
Wins the South Carolina Democratic primary.
Role range: 2020-2020 – 2017-2021
Super Tuesday Comeback
Wins key Super Tuesday contests.
Role range: 2020-2020 – 2017-2021
Kamala Harris Selection
Selects Kamala Harris as his running mate.
Role range: 2020-2020 – 2017-2021
Democratic Nomination
Is formally nominated by the Democratic Party.
Role range: 2020-2020 – 2017-2021
First Presidential Debate
Debates Donald Trump in the first presidential debate.
Role range: 2020-2020 – 2017-2021
Second Presidential Debate
Debates Donald Trump in the final presidential debate.
Role range: 2020-2020 – 2017-2021
Presidential Election Victory
Defeats Donald Trump in the presidential election.
Role range: 2020-2021 – 2021-2025
COVID-19
Promises a national COVID-19 response after being projected president-elect.
Role range: 2020-2021 – 2021-2025
COVID-19
Names members of a COVID-19 advisory board.
Role range: 2020-2021 – 2021-2025
Electoral College Vote
Electoral College confirms his presidential victory.
Role range: 2020-2021 – 2021-2025
2021
Federal Mask Order
Signs a federal mask requirement for federal property.
Role range: 2021-2025 – 2021-2025
Paris Agreement Rejoining
Orders the United States to rejoin the Paris Agreement.
Role range: 2021-2025 – 2021-2025
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.