Who Is Joe Biden?

Contributor: Elephango Editors. Lesson ID: 14319

Explore Joe Biden’s journey from Scranton to the White House! Learn about his life, leadership, and legacy with interactive activities and real-world projects.

30To1Hour
categories

United States

subject
History
learning style
Visual
personality style
Beaver
Grade Level
Intermediate (3-5)
Lesson Type
Quick Query

Lesson Plan - Get It!

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Imagine growing up in a small town, dreaming of making a big difference. Joe Biden did just that!

From a young boy in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to becoming the 46TH President of the United States, his journey is full of inspiring moments. Explore how he turned his dreams into reality!

Joe Biden was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on November 20, 1942. At age 10, his family moved to Delaware, where he would later start his political career.

Joe was the oldest of four children and grew up in a family that faced financial struggles. He attended the University of Delaware, where he studied history and political science, and then earned a law degree from Syracuse University.

At 29, Biden was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming one of the youngest to hold the office.

Unfortunately, soon after his election, tragedy struck: his wife and their one-year-old daughter were killed in a car accident, leaving his two sons critically injured. Despite this, Biden took the Senate oath of office at the hospital and commuted daily from Delaware to Washington, D.C., by train—something he continued throughout his career.

Biden served in the Senate for 36 years, significantly shaping policies on criminal justice and foreign relations. He was known for his leadership in passing the Violence Against Women Act and the 1994 Crime Act.

He also served as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for 12 years, helping to guide U.S. policy on the global stage.

Joe Biden's first speech after the announcement of his vice presidential candidacy in Springfield, Illinois

In 2008, President Barack Obama chose Biden as his Vice President, where he served from 2009 to 2017. During this time, Biden helped pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, focused on foreign policy, and launched the Cancer Moonshot initiative.

In 2017, Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his decades of public service.

In 2020, Biden defeated Donald Trump to become the 46TH president of the United States. At 78, he became the oldest person ever to take office.

Biden’s victory was historic not just because of his age but also because he selected Kamala Harris as his running mate. Harris became the first female, African American, and South Asian American Vice President in U.S. history.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris walk along the West Colonnade of the White House

As President, Biden has faced several challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and efforts to unite the country after a time of division. He continues to work on pushing policies to improve the lives of all Americans, both domestically and globally.

As you watch the video below, list four to six facts about Biden's life.

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Head to the Got It? section to complete the list you started.

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