01of 13New BeginningsGettyJoseph Robinette Biden Jr. became one of the youngest people ever to get elected into the U.S. Senate at age 29. He represented the state of Delaware from Jan. 3, 1973, until Jan. 15, 2009, when he resigned to becomevice president to President Barack Obama.Here, the then-Senator elect and his first wife Neilia cut his 30th birthday cake, with sons Hunter and Beau, at a party in Wilmington on Nov. 20, 1972. Biden turning 30 fulfilled the constitutional requirement of Senators being 30 years of age when they take office.
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New Beginnings
Getty
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. became one of the youngest people ever to get elected into the U.S. Senate at age 29. He represented the state of Delaware from Jan. 3, 1973, until Jan. 15, 2009, when he resigned to becomevice president to President Barack Obama.
Here, the then-Senator elect and his first wife Neilia cut his 30th birthday cake, with sons Hunter and Beau, at a party in Wilmington on Nov. 20, 1972. Biden turning 30 fulfilled the constitutional requirement of Senators being 30 years of age when they take office.
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Enduring Family Tragedy
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Just weeks after the election, Biden’s sons Beau and Hunter wereinjured in a car accident that killed their mother Neilia and 13-month-old sister, Naomi. Biden took his oath of office from Senate secretary Frank Valeo — with his former father-in-law Robert Hunter at his side — in Beau’s hospital room.
Biden’s son Beau diedin 2015 after battling brain cancer for two years. He was 46 years old.
03of 13Standout Senate MomentsThroughout his 36 years in the Senate, Biden had a pivotal role in shaping U.S. and foreign policy. His work centered on important issues facing the nation, including fighting domestic violence, criminal justice, terrorism, the opposition of chemical weapons and more.
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Standout Senate Moments
Throughout his 36 years in the Senate, Biden had a pivotal role in shaping U.S. and foreign policy. His work centered on important issues facing the nation, including fighting domestic violence, criminal justice, terrorism, the opposition of chemical weapons and more.
04of 13Global LeadershipGREG BAKER/POOL/AFP via GettyBiden held two other roles while in Senate: Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.Here, the then-Foreign Relations Committee Chairman shakes hands with 9-year-old Gao Shan, a boy Biden proclaimed the “future president of China,” during a visit to the village of Yanzikou, north of Beijing, on Aug. 10, 2001.
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Global Leadership
GREG BAKER/POOL/AFP via Getty
Biden held two other roles while in Senate: Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Here, the then-Foreign Relations Committee Chairman shakes hands with 9-year-old Gao Shan, a boy Biden proclaimed the “future president of China,” during a visit to the village of Yanzikou, north of Beijing, on Aug. 10, 2001.
05of 13Man of the PeopleAs Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, Biden shares a laugh with Afghan students at Ariana High School during his visit to Kabul, Afghanistan, on Jan. 12, 2002.
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Man of the People
As Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, Biden shares a laugh with Afghan students at Ariana High School during his visit to Kabul, Afghanistan, on Jan. 12, 2002.
06of 13First Presidential BidCynthia Johnson/The LIFE Images Collection via GettyOn June 9, 1987, Biden declared his candidacy for president. However, news that he’d plagiarized a law review article during his time as a student at Syracuse University brought down his campaign, and he dropped out of the race on Sept. 24, 1987.Here, Biden stands with Hunter, Beau, wife Jill (whom he married in 1977) and their daughter Ashley, after announcing his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.
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First Presidential Bid
Cynthia Johnson/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty
On June 9, 1987, Biden declared his candidacy for president. However, news that he’d plagiarized a law review article during his time as a student at Syracuse University brought down his campaign, and he dropped out of the race on Sept. 24, 1987.
Here, Biden stands with Hunter, Beau, wife Jill (whom he married in 1977) and their daughter Ashley, after announcing his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.
07of 13Warm Welcome BackBill Ballenberg/The LIFE Images Collection via GettyThe then-Senator underwent operations for two near-fatal brain aneurysms and a pulmonary embolism in 1988. Upon recovery, Biden received a warm welcome back to his office as jumped into work.
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Warm Welcome Back
Bill Ballenberg/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty
The then-Senator underwent operations for two near-fatal brain aneurysms and a pulmonary embolism in 1988. Upon recovery, Biden received a warm welcome back to his office as jumped into work.
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Second Presidential Bid
Biden ran for president again in 2007 but lost the nomination to eventual PresidentBarack Obama. Obama, however, picked Biden as his running mate, and he served as vice president from 2008 to 2016.
Here, Democratic presidential candidates Biden, Obama and Hillary Clinton are seen chatting ahead of the first 2008 Democratic Party presidential debate in April 2007.
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Mr. Vice President
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High Honors
Susan Walsh/AP.
Obama told Biden he was bestowing the award on him for “your faith in your fellow Americans, for your love of country and a lifetime of service that will endure through the generations.”
11of 1346th President of the United StatesANDREW HARNIK/POOL/AFP via GettyAfter a grueling 18 months following the launch of his third presidential campaign,Biden won the 2020 electionand denied a second term toDonald Trump.The President-elect is seen with wife Jill as they salute the crowd on stage after delivering remarks in Wilmington, Delaware, on Nov. 7, 2020.
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46th President of the United States
ANDREW HARNIK/POOL/AFP via Getty
After a grueling 18 months following the launch of his third presidential campaign,Biden won the 2020 electionand denied a second term toDonald Trump.
The President-elect is seen with wife Jill as they salute the crowd on stage after delivering remarks in Wilmington, Delaware, on Nov. 7, 2020.
12of 13History-Making Vice President PickVice President-elect Kamala Harris and Presdient-elect Joe Biden photographed for PEOPLE on Aug. 15 outside Wilmington, Delaware.Gioncarlo ValentineDuring his third presidential campaign, Biden chose Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate, making her not only the first female vice president but also the first Black person and first person of Asian descent to hold the office. Harris' husbandDoug Emhoff, a fellow attorney she married in 2014, is the first-ever “second gentleman.”
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History-Making Vice President Pick
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and Presdient-elect Joe Biden photographed for PEOPLE on Aug. 15 outside Wilmington, Delaware.Gioncarlo Valentine
During his third presidential campaign, Biden chose Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate, making her not only the first female vice president but also the first Black person and first person of Asian descent to hold the office. Harris' husbandDoug Emhoff, a fellow attorney she married in 2014, is the first-ever “second gentleman.”
13of 13The Big MomentPresident Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden.ShutterstockOn Jan. 20, 2021,Biden was sworn inas the 46th President of the United States. “This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day in history and hope, of renewal and resolve,” he said during his speech, which pledged unity and a new path forward.
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The Big Moment
President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden.Shutterstock
On Jan. 20, 2021,Biden was sworn inas the 46th President of the United States. “This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day in history and hope, of renewal and resolve,” he said during his speech, which pledged unity and a new path forward.
source: people.com
