Joe Biden is set to become the 46th president of the United States, capping a tumultuous and tension-filled campaign during a historic pandemic against President Donald Trump. ABC News characterized Joe Biden as the apparent winner of his home state of Pennsylvania, putting him over the 270 vote threshold needed to capture the presidency.
The hard-fought battle against the president was set against the backdrop of racial unrest and the coronavirus pandemic and bitter divisions among the electorate.
Trump had falsely declared on election night, when he held a lead in several key states, that he won the contest and alleged without evidence, after the count started to swing the other way, that the election was being stolen from him and that fraud had been committed.
Painting the election as a "battle for the soul of the nation," Biden won on a message of unity over division, compassion over anger, and reality over what he called Trump's "wishful thinking" as the coronavirus pandemic cast a heavy shadow over the campaign.
Here's how election week unfolded. All times Eastern.
Nov 07, 2020, 8:54 PM EST
'It's long overdue' Biden says of Harris' history-making moment
"I'll have the honor of serving with a fantastic vice president who you just heard from, Kamala Harris, who makes history as the first woman, first black woman, the first woman from south Asian descent, the first daughter of immigrants ever elected in this country," Biden said. "Don't tell me it's not possible in the United States. It’s long overdue. And we're reminded tonight of those who fought so hard for so many years to make this happen. Once again, America's bent the arc of the moral universe more towards justice."
"Kamala, Doug, like it or not, you’re family. You've become an honorary Biden. There's no way out," he continued.
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris deliver remarks in Wilmington, Del., Nov. 7, 2020, after being declared the winners of the presidential election by the media.
Andrew Harnik/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Nov 07, 2020, 8:48 PM EST
Biden jogs to stage, fist bumps Harris
Following a brief speech, Harris introduced Biden, who jogged out to the stage and greeted a newly masked Harris with double fist bumps. They posed for photos in front of the podium and then Harris exited the stage.
"Folks, the people of this nation have spoken. They've delivered us a clear victory, a convincing victory, a victory for we, the people. We’ve won with the most votes ever cast on a presidential ticket in the history of the nation: 74 million," he said. "And what I must admit has surprised me, tonight we're seeing all over this nation, all cities in all parts of the country, indeed across the world, an outpouring of joy, of hope of renewed faith in tomorrow, bring a better day. And I'm humbled by the trust and confidence you've placed in me."
"I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide but unify. Who doesn't see red states and blue states, only sees the United States," in a callback to remarks from former President Barack Obama. "And work with all my heart with the confidence of the whole people, to win the confidence of all of you. And for that is what America I believe is about. It's about people and that's what our administration will be all about."
President-elect Joe Biden is greeted on stage by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris before he speaks in Wilmington, Del., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020.
Paul Sancya/AP
Nov 07, 2020, 8:45 PM EST
'Joe is a healer, a uniter, a tested and steady hand'
"You chose hope and unity, decency, science, and yes, truth," she said eliciting cheers, applause and honking horns. "You chose Joe Biden as the next president of the United States of America. And Joe is a healer, a uniter, a tested and steady hand. A person whose own experience of loss gives him a sense of purpose that will help us as a nation reclaim our own sense of purpose. And a man with a big heart who loves with abandon. It's his love for Jill, who will be an incredible first lady."
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris addresses the nation from the Chase Center, Nov. 07, 2020, in Wilmington, Del.
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
"It's his love for Hunter and Ashley and his grandchildren and the entire Biden family. And while I first knew Joe as vice president, I really got to know him as the father who loved Beau, my dear friend who we remember here today," she continued.
Nov 07, 2020, 8:43 PM EST
Kamala Harris takes to the stage as 1st female vice president-elect
For the first time in its nearly 250-year history, the U.S. will have a woman vice president. The moment was not lost on Kamala Harris as she spoke Saturday night, taking the stage to "Work That" by Mary J. Blige, hours after ABC declared Joe Biden the apparent 46th president.
"What a testament it is to Joe's character that he had the audacity to break one of the most substantial barriers that exists in our country and select a woman as his vice president," she said.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris arrives to speak Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Wilmington, Del.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Harris cited her victory on the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment, giving some women the right to vote.
Biden had promised to choose a woman as his vice president candidate in the run-up to Harris' selection. After interviewing a number of candidates -- including former Obama national security adviser Susan Rice, Florida Rep. Val Demings and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer -- he chose Harris on Aug. 11.
Supporters arrive to attend an event with President-elect Joe Biden, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Wilmington, Del.
Andrew Harnik/AP
"But while I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last," Harris said. "Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities and to the children of our country regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message: Dream with ambition, lead with conviction and see yourselves in a way that others may not simply because they've never seen it before."
Harris was only the third major ticket vice presidential candidate following Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 and Sarah Palin in 2008.
