In 1972, a young Joe Biden attended his first Democratic National Convention as a non-delegate, barely receiving a mention in the local newspaper. Fast forward to 2021, and Biden is set to take the convention stage as the oldest sitting president in history. His remarkable political arc, from a long-shot candidate to the youngest senator to the leader of the free world, will culminate in his resolute support for Vice President Kamala Harris and his stern critique of former President Donald Trump's threat to democracy.

Preparing for his highly anticipated speech at the convention, President Biden has been working closely with his senior aides at Camp David to revise his address. Few could have predicted that the 29-year-old Biden attending his first convention in 1972 would one day find himself behind the podium as the incumbent president. This would mark Biden's twelfth appearance at a Democratic National Convention, a testament to his enduring commitment to the party.

Biden's involvement in conventions steadily grew over the years. In 1976, as a senator, he became the floor manager and surrogate for Jimmy Carter, a role that elevated his status within the party. Four years later, at the 1980 convention, Biden was allocated a speaking slot in the early evening, drawing praise from delegates in his home state of Delaware who held up signs urging him to run for the presidency. However, Biden insisted that he had no interest in seeking the nomination and attended the convention solely as a participant.

Despite his initial reluctance, Biden's ambition took him on a rollercoaster ride during the 1988 presidential race. Plagiarism allegations forced him to withdraw, and he did not attend that year's convention due to recovery from brain surgery. Nevertheless, Biden still managed to secure two votes for the nomination.

The 1990s brought more prominence for Biden, including his first prime-time convention speech in 1996 advocating for President Bill Clinton. In 2000, while advocating for Al Gore, Biden also began laying the groundwork for his own presidential aspirations by addressing delegates from Iowa on the sidelines of the main event. By 2004, Biden's trademark rhetorical style had emerged, as he quoted William Butler Yeats and endorsed nominee John Kerry.

The turning point in Biden's convention journey came in 2008 when he became Barack Obama's running mate. This historic pairing culminated in Biden's emotional nomination as vice president in 2012, a moment that was deeply tied to the memory of his late son, Beau. In 2016, following the tragedy of Beau's passing, Biden decided not to run for president, but he still delivered a poignant address at the convention.

Finally, in 2020, after decades of supporting other Democratic nominees, it was Joe Biden's turn to take center stage. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conventional grandeur of balloons and roaring applause was replaced by a virtual presentation. Nevertheless, Biden seized the moment and delivered an impassioned speech directly to the camera.

As President Biden prepares to address the nation once again at this year's Democratic National Convention, his journey from an obscure attendee to the standard-bearer of his party stands as a testament to his resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to the Democratic cause.