T his past Friday marked the end of an era in broadcast journalism, as longtime news anchor Lester Holt officially signed off for the last time on NBC Nightly News. Holt held that

"Around here, facts matter," the show's lead anchor said in his farewell speech on Friday. "Words matter. Journalism matters. And you matter."

Lester Holt delivered his final report as "NBC Nightly News" anchor Friday after 10 years at the desk, leaving viewers with words of gratitude and optimism. Holt, 66, earlier this year announced that he would be leaving "Nightly" this summer.