Joe Biden is 77 years old. If he wins the election, he’ll be the oldest person ever to become U.S. president. He was a baby when the Slinky was invented. And he was a kid when the first credit card was used! What was little Joe Biden doing during all this? Let’s look back to find out.
Biden was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on November 20, 1942. He was the oldest, with three siblings — two brothers and a sister. As a kid, Biden would visit a sandwich shop called Simmy’s. He would buy with his friends. He also played Little League baseball. The leader said he started out as an 8-year-old, playing .
When Biden was 10, his family moved to Claymont, Delaware. His father, Joseph Biden Sr., later became a used-car salesman there. But Biden never forgot his roots in Pennsylvania.
Throughout all this, Biden faced a challenge. He spoke with a stutter, often repeating sounds or letters. Other kids would make fun of him for it. Biden didn’t let this hold him back though. To overcome his , he practiced saying Irish poetry. He learned to slow down and control the words.
Biden still talks about this challenge. He said he may still stutter when he is very tired. Biden has also worked to help young people who stutter. He says it’s “important for them not to judge themselves by their speech — not let that define them.” Biden added that stuttering “has nothing to do with your .”
Young Biden’s practice paid off. He got better at speaking in public. And he was elected class president in high school! Biden also played football and baseball at the Catholic school.
You may already know what happened to Biden when he grew up. At the age of 29, he was elected to the U.S. Senate. Then, he served as vice president under President Barack Obama. Now, Biden hopes to take the top job himself. Can the former Little Leaguer win big?
Updated November 2, 2020, 5:02 P.M. (ET)
By Teresa Johnson
