In keeping with a tradition dating back to the country's first president George Washington, Bush "will deliver a farewell address to the American people Thursday night, January 15th," Perino told reporters.

"He will reflect on his time in office and the ways our country has changed these past eight years," she added in an email.

"He will also uphold the tradition of presidents using farewell addresses to look forward by sharing his thoughts on the greatest challenges facing the country, and on what it will take to meet them."

Bush has asked US television networks for airtime for the 10 to 15 minute speech, which for the first time will be delivered before a live audience.

In the country's early history, US presidents once delivered their last address in office through written messages published in newspapers, Perino said.

But Bush will have an audience made up "of some people who have very courageous stories to tell, people that the president has met along the way, some of whom will be mentioned in the speech."

It will be last scheduled public event for Bush before president-elect Barack Obama is sworn in on January 20.

She told reporters the speech would be more of a look ahead than a look back and would be "very gracious to president-elect Obama."

"This is not going to be a swansong to the president's administration although he will defend his record," she said.

"It's not something where he is trying to refight old battles.

"It's a very thoughtful, forward-looking speech in which the president will share the lessons he learned in office and his views on the future."

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