Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, died from complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer on September 18, 2020, at the age of 87. Her death received immediate and significant public attention; a vigil at the Supreme Court plaza in Washington, D.C., was held that same evening. Memorials and vigils were held in several U.S. cities, including Chicago, New York City, and San Francisco.
Ginsburg became the first woman to lie in repose at the Supreme Court Building, between September 23 and 24, a longer-than-usual period. On September 25, she lay in state at the Capitol, becoming the first woman and first Jew to receive this honor. A private interment service was held at Arlington National Cemetery on September 29.
Health and death Ginsburg had previously been diagnosed with colon cancer, which was in remission by 1999, and early-stage pancreatic cancer in 2009. In 2014, she had surgery to implant a stent. Tumors in her lungs were detected in December 2018 while she was being treated for broken ribs from a fall in November 2018. She previously hurt two ribs in June 2012. She had pancreatic cancer in August 2019 and went into remission a few times. She was briefly hospitalized in November 2019 for a fever and chills. Again, she was hospitalized for a gallbladder complication in May 2020. She was also hospitalized in July for an unidentified infection. Ginsburg died from complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer at her home in Washington, D.C., on September 18, 2020, aged 87. Days before her death, according to her granddaughter Clara Spera, an attorney, she dictated a statement which reads in part: "My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed."
Vigils
Hundreds of people began gathering in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., within hours of the news of Ginsburg's death. The Mourners' Kaddish was recited by mourners, along with songs such as "Amazing Grace" and "America the Beautiful". Other gatherings were held in cities across the United States. Online memorials were created on social media platforms. By the following morning, a makeshift memorial had been created on the steps of the court.
On September 19, the tributes at the Supreme Court were removed and a barricade erected in front of the building. About 2,500 people attended a vigil that evening. Among the several speakers at the rally were Democratic Senators Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Warren drew cheers from the crowd as she criticized the Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican. Many speakers made references to abortion access, of which Ginsburg was a proponent; Jasmine Clemons of Planned Parenthood, speaking of her own decision to have an abortion, said "I made the best decision for my life, my future and my body. That was made possible because of women like Justice Ginsburg."
Vigils were also held in other cities across the United States. Some gatherings were promoted by organizers of the Women's March who urged people to gather at their local courthouses. Hundreds of people attended vigils in Chicago, Kingston, New York, Portland, Maine, Minneapolis and San Francisco. An image of Ginsburg and messages reading "thank you" and "rest in power" were projected on the New York State Supreme Court Building in New York City. White jabots (or collars), similar to those worn by Ginsburg, were placed on several statues in New York City, most notably on the Fearless Girl sculpture outside the New York Stock Exchange Building.
Memorials and tributes
As has been tradition since as early as 1873 on the death of Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, the courtroom doors of the Supreme Court, Ginsburg's seat, and the bench in front of her seat were draped in black. On September 18, Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the House of Representatives ordered flags at the U.S. Capitol to be flown at half-staff in honor of Ginsburg. On September 19, President Trump also ordered all U.S. flags at federal buildings to be flown at half-staff until Ginsburg's burial.
Shortly after Ginsburg's death, multiple statues and renaming of locations were proposed in her honor. Bill de Blasio, Mayor of New York City, announced that the Brooklyn Municipal Building in New York City would be renamed in honor of Ginsburg, who was born and raised in Brooklyn. Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York, announced that a statue of Ginsburg would be installed in Brooklyn. He said he would appoint a commission to select an artist and location. The statue was completed and installed outside of Albee Square on March 12, 2021.
On September 19, landmarks across the state of New York were illuminated in blue as a tribute to Ginsburg. These included the One World Trade Center, Grand Central Terminal, Kosciuszko Bridge, Niagara Falls, and Mid-Hudson Bridge. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi introduced legislation for a bust of Ginsburg to be created and installed in the Capitol Rotunda. In Minnesota, Mayor Jacob Frey of Minneapolis and Mayor Melvin Carter of Saint Paul issued a proclamation declaring September 21 to be "Ruth Bader Ginsburg Day" in their respective cities. On September 25, the Empire State Building in New York City was lit with red, white and blue in honor of Ginsburg.
Reactions United States Ginsburg was praised by legal figures including Chief Justice John Roberts who called her a "jurist of historic stature", stating that the Supreme Court had lost a cherished colleague and also had confidence that future generations would remember her as a "tireless and resolute champion of justice." In a viral tweet, Ruth Franklin, an author and book critic, noted that "according to Jewish tradition, a person who dies on Rosh Hashanah... is a tzadeikes, a person of great righteousness".
Her death was announced while both President Trump and presidential candidate Joe Biden were campaigning in Minnesota; Trump was making a speech during his rally and Biden was on a campaign plane flying back to his home in Wilmington, Delaware, with spotty Wi-Fi connection. As a result, neither made statements immediately after the news was announced; Trump made a statement after his speech concluded while he was heading towards Air Force One, and when Biden landed at New Castle Airport, he too made a statement. Trump, on hearing of Ginsburg's death for the first time, said she "was an amazing woman who led an amazing life". Biden told reporters that Ginsburg's death was "very sad news" and highlighted the need to choose a successor only once the election had concluded. The White House also issued a statement praising Ginsburg, saying, among other things, "Her opinions, including well-known decisions regarding the legal equality of women and the disabled, have inspired all Americans and generations of great legal minds."
Speaker Pelosi used Twitter to express her sympathy, saying that Ginsburg's death was "an incalculable loss for our democracy and for all who sacrifice and strive to build a better future for our children". Governor Cuomo described Ginsburg as someone who "pursued truth and justice in a world of division, giving voice to the voiceless and uplifting those who were pushed aside by forces of hate and indifference". Hillary Clinton, who was the First Lady when Ginsburg was appointed to the Supreme Court, said "There will never be another like her." On September 20, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who nominated Ginsburg to the U.S. Supreme Court and also held a public rally with her in Little Rock, Arkansas, just over a year before her death, paid tribute to Ginsburg in a televised interview with Face the Nation Margaret Brennan. He said, among other things, that "People were really pulling for her and they really gravitated to her because of her sense of equality and fairness, and they thought, unlike much in politics today, she was totally on the level."
Senator Bernie Sanders issued condolences and showed admiration for Ginsburg via social media, as did several celebrities, politicians, and athletes including Mindy Kaling, Meghan Markle, Kate McKinnon, Stacey Abrams, Orlando Jones and Meghan McCain.
During a September 21 appearance on Fox & Friends, President Trump suggested that Ginsburg's dictated statement before her death may have been manufactured by the Democratic political leadership in Congress, including Speaker Pelosi, Senator Schumer, the Minority Leader who represents New York, and Representative Adam Schiff of California. The Democrats angrily denied Trump's suggestion. The NPR correspondent Nina Totenberg, a reporter covering Supreme Court who published the original report about Justice Ginsburg's last wish, subsequently confirmed that the statement had come from Ginsburg herself. Totenberg stated that there were other witnesses in the room, apart from her granddaughter, including her doctor. Trump's allegation gave birth to a conspiracy theory which spread quickly through social media and was taken up by some conservative public figures. Fox News host Tucker Carlson declared that it would have been "pathetic" for Justice Ginsburg to make such a dying declaration and that he did not believe she had said it. Subsequently, Senator Ted Cruz, Republican from Texas, blocked the U.S. Senate resolution honoring Ginsburg because it contained language referring to her dying wish.
International Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, described Ginsburg as a "pioneer for women's right, law and justice". Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, wrote: "A profound and fearless advocate for women, equality, and justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg's impact will undoubtedly be felt for generations. My thoughts are with her family, colleagues, and all who were inspired by her lifetime of service." Emmanuel Macron, President of France, wrote: "A truly exceptional woman has left us. Throughout her entire life, Ruth Bader Ginsburg fought for justice, gender equality, and respect for fundamental rights. Her outstanding legacy shall be our inspiration for a long time to come." Emily Haber, German Ambassador to the United States, wrote: "Germany has often looked across the Atlantic, not only to the US but to Justice Ginsburg herself – a pioneer for women, a standard-bearer, a fighter." Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain, sent his "deepest condolences to her family, to the world of Justice and to the American people."
Funeral services
Supreme Court Building
Ginsburg lay in repose at the Supreme Court Building for the two days on September 23–24. Previous ceremonies for Associate Justices were limited to a single day, including the ceremony for Chief Justice William Rehnquist as well as those for Associate Justices William J. Brennan Jr., John Paul Stevens, and Antonin Scalia. Her public viewing was held outdoors from 11am to 10pm on the first day, and 9am to 10pm on the second day. Ginsburg is the first woman to lie in repose at the Supreme Court.