Joe Biden Turns 82 Today, Meaning He’s the Oldest President in US History

President Joe Biden celebrates his 82nd birthday today at the White House, surrounded by family and friends. This birthday marks his last as commander-in-chief, following a challenging year in which he stepped aside from reelection efforts, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic ticket.

From his roots in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to decades of public service, Biden has played a pivotal role in transformative moments in American history. As the oldest president to serve in the White House, Biden’s age became a significant milestone, but his record may soon be surpassed.

Here’s a look back at some of the key moments Biden has witnessed in his long career.

29-Year-Old Biden Elected to the Senate as Watergate Unfolds

In 1972, Biden entered the U.S. Senate at the age of 29, just as the Watergate scandal began to surface. This historic moment of political reckoning shaped the early years of his Senate career.

32-Year-Old Biden Witnesses the U.S. Pull Out of Vietnam

In 1975, Biden observed the fall of Saigon, which marked the end of the Vietnam War. As a young senator, his platform focused on the environment, civil rights, mass transit, equitable taxation, health care and public dissatisfaction with “politics as usual”.

43-Year-Old Biden Is in Congress During the Reagan Era’s Tax Reforms

By the mid-1980s, Biden participated in congressional debates over President Ronald Reagan’s tax policies. These reforms, which prioritized supply-side economics, sparked significant discussions about the federal government’s role in economic management.

44-Year-Old Biden Ends His First Presidential Campaign Amid Controversy

In 1987, Biden launched his first campaign for the presidency but withdrew after facing allegations of plagiarism in his speeches. The controversy, coupled with questions about his qualifications and campaign messaging, led him to step aside before the primaries.

46-Year-Old Biden See the Fall of the Berlin Wall

In 1989, Biden witnessed the collapse of the Berlin Wall, a pivotal moment signaling the end of the Cold War. At the time, he was deeply involved in Senate discussions on foreign relations and the evolving global order.

48-Year-Old Biden Witnesses the Collapse of the Soviet Union

Two years later, the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 further reshaped the geopolitical landscape. Biden, then a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, contributed to U.S. efforts to address the new dynamics of post-Cold War international relations.

50-Year-Old Biden Votes for the Clinton Crime Bill

In 1994, Biden played a leading role in passing the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. While aimed at addressing rising crime rates, the bill remains controversial for its role in increasing incarceration rates and its impact on marginalized communities.

59-Year-Old Biden Witnesses the Aftermath of 9/11 and Voted for the Iraq War

In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Biden played a central role in shaping the Senate’s response to the crisis. As chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he voted in favor of the Iraq War and organized a series of witnesses to testify in support of the authorization.

65-Year-Old Biden Becomes the Nation’s First Catholic Vice President

In 2009, Biden made history as the first Catholic vice president of the United States, serving under President Barack Obama, the nation’s first African American president. During their eight years in office, they oversaw major initiatives, including the passage of the Affordable Care Act and efforts to combat climate change.

74-Year-Old Biden Witnesses Donald Trump’s Election as President

In 2016, as Vice President, Biden witnessed the rise of Donald Trump, a Republican outsider who disrupted longstanding political norms and unexpectedly won the presidency.

After leaving office, he became an honorary professor at the University of Pennsylvania and remained active in politics, endorsing candidates and commenting on issues like climate change and Trump’s presidency.

77-Year-Old Biden Takes Office During a Global Pandemic

In 2020, Biden became the oldest person to assume the presidency, taking office amid the COVID-19 pandemic. His administration faced the dual challenge of managing a public health crisis and steering the nation’s economic recovery.

81-Year-Old Biden Pulls Out of the Presidential Race

In July 2024, President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race after a challenging debate performance against Donald Trump reignited concerns about his age and fitness for office. Facing mounting pressure from within his party to make way for a younger leader, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate.

Despite these efforts, Donald Trump, now 78, reclaimed the presidency earlier this month. If he completes his second term in 2029, Trump will surpass Biden as the oldest president to hold office, reaching 82 years and seven months—five months older than Biden’s current record.