Official White House photographers share exclusive images with PEOPLE, capturing memories from Joe Biden's time as president of the United States

After four years in the White House – and a half-century in Washington – President Joe Biden has said farewell.

With only days left in the White House, President Joe Biden was saving a few surprises for his farewell address Wednesday evening.

Biden conveyed his deep appreciation for first lady Jill Biden, who joined him in the Oval Office. “My deepest appreciation to our amazing first lady with me in the Oval today, for our entire family, you’re the love of my life and the lives of my love,” he said. “My eternal thanks to you, the American people.”

President Biden will deliver his farewell address as President-elect Donald Trump will return to the White House next week.

In his final speech from the Oval Office, President Biden urged the country to remember its roots and not surrender its values at the altar of a populist nationalism that he sees as dangerous.