As Joe Biden celebrates his last birthday at White House, 10 things about the outgoing POTUS

US President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr, more commonly known as Joe Biden, turned 82 on Wednesday, celebrating his last birthday as America’s president. He will hand over the reins of the US administration to his predecessor and President-elect Donald Trump of the Republican Party, who defeated incumbent Vice-President Kamala Harris, who was the Democratic Party’s nominee in the November 5 presidential election. Harris came into the fray after Biden opted out of the race amid concerns over his age.

Biden would leave the White House on January 20 next year after what his supporters say four transformative years in office.

Serving as the 46th President of the United States, Biden’s tenure was marked by significant accomplishments, personal triumphs and challenges that tested his leadership and led to victory. From shifts at various diplomatic summits to leading the country through the difficult years of the Covid-19 pandemic, and jump-starting an economic recovery, Biden’s legacy would be judged by historians in the due course of time.  

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With the incoming US President Trump already looking to shake up not only the American governance but also the old world order, here are 10 pivotal aspects of Biden’s journey to arguably the most powerful office on the planet.

Roots from a Pennsylvania town

Joe Biden was born on November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, as the eldest of four children to Catherine Eugenia Finnegan Biden and Joseph Rbinette Biden Sr. He graduated from the University of Delaware and Syracuse Law School. His upbringing in a middle-class family shaped his lifelong commitment as an adult.  

A tragic loss after a record win

At the age of 29, Biden became one of the youngest Americans ever elected to the US Senate. But a heartbreaking tragedy struck only weeks after his Senate election. He lost his first wife Neilia and their daughter Naomi in a car accident. Their sons Hunter and Beau were severely injured.  

He was sworn in as a Senate member at his sons’ hospital bedsides. He commuted daily from Delaware to Washington DC to balance his duties as a politician and those in his personal life.  

He married Jill Jacobs in 1977. They have a daughter, Ashley Biden, who was born in 1980.

Senate leadership and law to fight violence against women

Biden served the Senator from Delaware for 36 years, Biden played a significant role in passing key legislation including the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 1994 — he wrote the bill for enactment. This is considered a landmark law in the US providing comprehensive measures to combat domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.  

Working alongside Barack Obama

When Barack Obama became the first Black person to become the US president, Biden was his running mate and became the vice-president. Biden worked alongside President Obama to pass the Affordable Care Act, launched the largest economic recovery plan in US history and strengthened American leadership globally. His expertise in foreign policy, connection with working-class Americans, and his diplomatic skills made him an invaluable partner to Obama during his two terms in office.  

46th President of the United States

In 2020, Biden ran for the White House. He built his campaign on the promise of rebuilding the backbone of America targeting Donald Trump accusing him of damaging the US’s global standing in the preceding four years. Biden’s appeal resonated with American voters and he won key swing states to register an easy victory in the end. He was sworn in as the 46th President on January 20th, 2021, and took an immediate shift to get America vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus, whose outbreak from China spread to all parts of the world.

Transformative American shift

Biden is credited with creating more jobs than any other American president has created in one term. He focused on Infrastructure law, maintaining a roadmap in rebuilding roads and bridges. He also passed the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022, which marks the largest single investment in climate and energy. His CHIPS and Science Act was implemented to revitalise domestic manufacturing and industrial strategy.

Champion of inclusivity

Biden was hailed for nominating the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. He has been a vocal advocate for racial justice, and his presidency to work towards long-standing inequalities. His pick for vice-presidency, Kamala Harris, was another example of Biden working towards ensuring racial justice in America when Trump supporters appear to fan White supremacy sentiments.

Making healthcare affordable

His agenda majorly focused on lowering health insurance costs, As the US president, Biden negotiated lower prescription drug costs beating Big Pharma. His agenda included cutting utility bills, and taking corporate rip-offs like junk fees.  

Strengthening US global leadership

President Biden strengthened the alliance and restored America’s leadership. He rallied the world to stand up to Russia President Vladimir Putin’s aggression when he ordered his troops to invade Ukraine in February 2022, and expanded Nato’s role increasing America’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.

Determined administration

Biden, despite his critics questioning his medical fitness to govern as the US president, has earned praise for his administrative acumen, and diplomatic prudence. His efforts to create jobs, bring down prices, promote racial justice and rebuild Europe-America ties that took a hit during the four years of the Trump administration.