Joe Biden has defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States, saying he wants to “restore the soul” of America and unify* the country.
Delivering his victory speech to supporters in his home town of Wilmington, Delaware, on Sunday, November 9 (Australian time), Mr Biden said it was “time to heal” as he thanked his wife and family.
“The people of this nation have spoken. They’ve delivered us a convincing victory. A clear victory,” Mr Biden said.
“I pledge* to be a president who seeks not to divide but to unify.
“I sought this office to restore the soul of America, to rebuild the backbone of this nation, the middle class.
“It’s the honour of my lifetime that so many millions of Americans have voted for that vision.”
Mr Biden, 77, said the US now faced a battle to restore and defend democracy* after Mr Trump’s four years in the White House.
“The battle to control the virus. The battle to build prosperity*, the battle to secure your family’s healthcare. The battle to achieve racial justice and root out systemic* racism in this country,” he said.
“And the battle to save our planet by getting the climate under control. The battle of restoring decency, defending democracy, and giving everybody in this country a fair shot.”
Speaking before Mr Biden took the stage, vice president-elect Kamala Harris thanked voters for choosing “hope, unity, science and truth”.
Ms Harris will be the first woman and person of colour to be vice president.
“While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last,” Ms Harris said, to loud cheers from the audience.
Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison invited President-elect Biden to visit Australia next year.
Mr Biden, from the Democratic party, sealed his historic win four days after voting closed, with a record number of mail-in votes slowing the vote count.
Mr Trump took an early lead in several key states but mail-in votes swung the count in Mr Biden’s favour.
Mr Biden scored more than the required 270 electoral college* votes when he took the states of Nevada and Pennsylvania.
“With the campaign over, it’s time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric* behind us and come together as a nation,” Mr Biden said.
“It’s time for America to unite. And to heal.”
But a defiant* Mr Trump, from the Republican party, has refused to concede* defeat, taking to Twitter to claim he had won the election “by a lot”.
Mr Trump is threatening more legal action over the counting of votes, claiming the Democrats cheated and vote counting was rigged*. But he has not produced any evidence of wrongdoing.
If Mr Trump’s legal challenges fail, Mr Biden will be inaugurated* on January 20, 2021.
GLOSSARY
- unify: bring together as one
- pledge: promise
- democracy: system of government where the people elect their leaders
- prosperity: success and wealth
- systemic: spread through a system
- electoral college: group of elected people who choose the president and vice president
- rhetoric: way of speaking that is designed to convince others
- defiant: refusing to give in
- concede: admit
- rigged: unfair or illegal
- inaugurated: officially take the role of president
EXTRA READING
US election: How does it work? What could happen?
Game on in the US presidential election
Impeachment: Trump not guilty on both charges
QUICK QUIZ
- What number US president will Joe Biden be?
- Who will be Joe Biden’s vice president?
- It is the first time the vice president will be a …
- What party is Joe Biden from?
- What party is Donald Trump from?
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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Vote for me
Imagine you are running your own election campaign and are standing for the captain of your school. Write a speech to encourage your classmates to vote for you. Outline what you think the important issues are at your school, what you would do about them and why you would make a good captain.
Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Civics and citizenship, Critical and creative thinking
2. Extension
Design a campaign poster that represents your beliefs, your priorities and why students should vote for you to be the school captain. Come up with a catchy campaign slogan to include in your poster.
Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Civics and citizenship, Critical and creative thinking
VCOP ACTIVITY
I Spy Nouns
Nouns are places, names (of people and objects), and time (months or days of the week).
How many nouns can you find in the article?
Can you sort them into places, names and time?
Pick three nouns and add an adjective (describing word) to the nouns.
HAVE YOUR SAY: What do you think Joe Biden’s first job should be when he takes over as president?
No one-word answers. Use full sentences to explain your thinking. No comments will be published until approved by editors.
