President Joe Biden, in a rare Oval Office address, spoke somberly and emotionally about his decision to exit the 2024 race and pass the mantle to the next generation of leaders -- describing it as an act aimed at unifying the nation to which he devoted his decades-long career.

"I revere this office but I love my country more," Biden said. "It's been the honor of my life to serve as president but in the defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think it's more important than any title."

The prime-time speech marked the first time Biden had spoken directly to the American people on-camera since his bombshell announcement three days ago that he was stepping away from the campaign trail and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place.

"I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America's future all merited a second term," Biden said Wednesday night. "But nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition, so I've decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation."

On Harris, Biden said she is "experienced, she's tough, she's capable" and called her an "incredible partner" during their three-and-a-half years together.

"I've made my choice. I've made my views known … Now, the choice is up to you, the American people," he said.

Biden continued to emphasize what he believes is at risk this election, which he's repeatedly cast as an "inflection point" to save the nation's founding principles.

"I ran for president four years ago because I believed, and still do, that the soul of America was at stake, the very nature of who we are was at stake," he said. "And that's still the case."

Biden over the weekend gave in to a month of intense pressure from Democrats to change course after his poor debate performance reignited questions about his age and whether he could successfully take on Donald Trump to win another four years in office.

Biden initially resisted calls to step aside and insisted he was the best person to take on Trump, but on Wednesday said he now believes a new path is necessary.

"There's a time and a place for long years of experience in public life," he said. "There's also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices and yes, younger voices. And that time and place is now."

Still, the president took several minutes to tout his accomplishments, pointing to the economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic, his work lowering health care costs, the passage of an extensive infrastructure law and his leadership on the world stage providing assistance to Ukraine and working to strengthen NATO.

Biden also looked ahead to what he still hopes to do in these final six months. He zeroed in on the need to address gun violence, climate change, continuing to improve the economy and reforming the U.S. Supreme Court.

The president did not address ongoing Republican criticisms about his fitness to serve. The White House earlier Wednesday had said his health had "nothing" to do with his decision, and rebuffed GOP calls for him to resign from office immediately as "ridiculous."

Hundreds of White House staffers gathered to listen to Biden and cheers were overheard pouring out of the building after he delivered the historic address.

Members of Biden's family, including his children Hunter and Ashley, first lady Jill Biden and several grandchildren, were in the Oval Office to witness the speech.

Near the end of his remarks, Biden took an emotional turn to express his heartfelt gratitude to be able to serve the nation and ascend to the position he long sought.

Biden, now 81 years old, began his career as one of the youngest senators in United States history and spent 36 years representing Delaware on Capitol Hill. In 2008, he was tapped as President Barack Obama's running mate and spent eight years as his vice president.

In 2020, Biden reached the pinnacle of his career as he clinched the Democratic nomination for president after failed attempts in 1988 and 2008, and went on to defeat Trump in the general election.

"My fellow Americans, it has been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years," Biden said on Wednesday. "Nowhere else on Earth could a kid with a stutter from modest beginnings of Scranton, Pennsylvania and Claymont, Delaware one day sit behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office as president of the United States but here I am."

"I've given my heart and my soul to our nation, like so many others, but I'm blessed a million times in return for the love and support of the American people," he said. "I hope you have some idea how grateful I am to all of you."