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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg honored in historic ceremony at US Capitol

The Supreme Court justice passed away at the age of 87 on Sept. 18.

ByMeredith Deliso, Emily Shapiro, and Karma Allen
Last Updated: September 25, 2020, 6:22 PM EDT

The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg became the first woman and first Jewish person to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol on Friday.

The honor, which comes a week after her death at the age of 87 due to complications of metastatic pancreas cancer, pays tribute to the country's most distinguished citizens.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is photographed in the West conference room at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Aug. 30, 2013.
The Washington Post via Getty Images, FILE

Since 1852, over 30 men have lain in state, including 12 former presidents, as well as other statesmen and military leaders, per historical records. The last person to have lain in state was Georgia congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis, who died in July.

Civil rights icon Rosa Parks was "lain in honor" at the Capitol in 2005, but Ginsburg is the first woman ever to lie in state.

"Justice Ginsburg embodied justice, brilliance and goodness, and her passing is an incalculable loss for our democracy and for all who sacrifice and strive to build a better future for our children," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said upon her passing. "Every family in America benefited from her brilliant legacy and courage. Her opinions have unequivocally cemented the precedent that all men and women are created equal.”

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Sep 25, 2020, 9:21 AM EDT

Schedule of events

Ginsburg’s casket will arrive at Capitol Plaza at 9:30 a.m. ET.

The Statuary Hall ceremony begins at 10 a.m. with a welcome from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The service also will include comments from Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt, whose husband was a law clerk to Ginsburg.

There will be two musical selections by American operatic soprano Denyce Graves, accompanied by Laura Ward on the piano.

Graves and Ward also performed at a memorial service for Ginsburg’s husband 10 years ago, according to the Inquirer.

“I’ll never forget her face when Denyce was four feet in front of her singing this song ... she had this sweetest expression of gratitude," Ward told the Inquirer.

PHOTO: A program for the service of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is shown at the U.S. Capitol, where she will lie in state, in Washington, U.S., September 25, 2020. Alex Brandon/Pool via REUTERS
A program for the service of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is shown at the U.S. Capitol, where she will lie in state, in Washington, D.C., Sept. 25, 2020.
Alex Brandon/Pool via Reuters

After the ceremony, bipartisan women of the House and Senate will join Pelosi to pay their respects on the East Center Steps.

Sep 25, 2020, 6:01 AM EDT

RBG to lie in state Friday

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will lie in state in Statuary Hall in the Capitol on Friday after lying in repose in front of the Supreme Court on Wednesday and Thursday to allow public viewing.

The flag-draped casket of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, carried by Supreme Court police officers, arrives in the Great Hall at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C, on Sept. 23, 2020.
Andrew Harnik/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

A formal ceremony will be held Friday morning, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be open to invited guests only, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced.