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In Memoriam: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Published September 20th, 2020 - 06:39 GMT

Over 1,000 people packed the iconic steps of the US Supreme Court, laying flowers, lighting candles, some weeping as they mourned the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has died aged 87 after a battle with metastatic pancreas cancer, the Supreme Court has announced. 

She had been on the federal bench for twenty-five years. In 1993, she became the second woman ever to serve on the United States Supreme Court. Throughout that time she has continued to be a leading voice for gender equality, women's interests, and civil rights and liberties.

Ginsburg, who served for 27 years on the highest court of the land, had battled several bouts of cancer after first being diagnosed back in 2009.

President Donald Trump led the tributes, describing Ginsburg as a 'titan of the law' whose legal expertise and historic decisions inspired generations of Americans.

Her death paves the way for Donald Trump to expand his conservative majority on the Supreme Court ahead of November's election.

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People left mementos in a makeshift memorial for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in front of the US Supreme Court on September 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Justice Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

People left mementos in a makeshift memorial for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in front of the US Supreme Court on September 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Justice Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

A woman paints an image of Ruth Bader Ginsburg as people pay their respects to her outside of the New York State Civil Supreme Court building in New York on September 19, 2020. US President Donald Trump vowed to quickly nominate a successor, likely a woman, to replace late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, only a day after the death of the liberal stalwart. Kena Betancur / AFP

A woman paints an image of Ruth Bader Ginsburg as people pay their respects to her outside of the New York State Civil Supreme Court building in New York on September 19, 2020. US President Donald Trump vowed to quickly nominate a successor, likely a woman, to replace late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, only a day after the death of the liberal stalwart. Kena Betancur / AFP

People pay their respects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg near the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC on September 19, 2020. US President Donald Trump vowed to quickly nominate a successor, likely a woman, to replace late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, only a day after the death of the liberal stalwart. Eric BARADAT / AFP

People pay their respects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg near the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC on September 19, 2020. US President Donald Trump vowed to quickly nominate a successor, likely a woman, to replace late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, only a day after the death of the liberal stalwart. Eric BARADAT / AFP

A bobblehead of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is left outside of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on September 19, 2020. Ginsburg died September 18, opening a crucial vacancy on the high court expected to set off a pitched political battle at the peak of the presidential campaign. Jose Luis Magana / AFP

A bobblehead of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is left outside of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on September 19, 2020. Ginsburg died September 18, opening a crucial vacancy on the high court expected to set off a pitched political battle at the peak of the presidential campaign. Jose Luis Magana / AFP

Mourners place flowers, messages, and mementos at a makeshift memorial in honor of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in front of the US Supreme Court on September 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Justice Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Mourners place flowers, messages, and mementos at a makeshift memorial in honor of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in front of the US Supreme Court on September 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Justice Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

A young boy places flowers at a makeshift memorial in honor of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in front of the US Supreme Court on September 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Justice Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

A young boy places flowers at a makeshift memorial in honor of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in front of the US Supreme Court on September 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Justice Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The national flag flies at half staff as people gather to mourn the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the steps in front of the Supreme Court on September 18, 2020 in Washington, DC. Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/AFP TASOS KATOPODIS / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The national flag flies at half staff as people gather to mourn the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the steps in front of the Supreme Court on September 18, 2020 in Washington, DC. Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/AFP TASOS KATOPODIS / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

People take a picture of a portrait of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg displayed at a storefront on September 19, 2020 in New York, New York. Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Jeenah Moon/Getty Images/AFP Jeenah Moon / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

People take a picture of a portrait of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg displayed at a storefront on September 19, 2020 in New York, New York. Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Jeenah Moon/Getty Images/AFP Jeenah Moon / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Twitter)

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Twitter)

People left mementos in a makeshift memorial for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in front of the US Supreme Court on September 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Justice Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
A woman paints an image of Ruth Bader Ginsburg as people pay their respects to her outside of the New York State Civil Supreme Court building in New York on September 19, 2020. US President Donald Trump vowed to quickly nominate a successor, likely a woman, to replace late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, only a day after the death of the liberal stalwart. Kena Betancur / AFP
People pay their respects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg near the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC on September 19, 2020. US President Donald Trump vowed to quickly nominate a successor, likely a woman, to replace late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, only a day after the death of the liberal stalwart. Eric BARADAT / AFP
A bobblehead of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is left outside of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on September 19, 2020. Ginsburg died September 18, opening a crucial vacancy on the high court expected to set off a pitched political battle at the peak of the presidential campaign. Jose Luis Magana / AFP
Mourners place flowers, messages, and mementos at a makeshift memorial in honor of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in front of the US Supreme Court on September 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Justice Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
A young boy places flowers at a makeshift memorial in honor of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in front of the US Supreme Court on September 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Justice Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
The national flag flies at half staff as people gather to mourn the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the steps in front of the Supreme Court on September 18, 2020 in Washington, DC. Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/AFP TASOS KATOPODIS / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
People take a picture of a portrait of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg displayed at a storefront on September 19, 2020 in New York, New York. Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Jeenah Moon/Getty Images/AFP Jeenah Moon / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Twitter)
People left mementos in a makeshift memorial for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in front of the US Supreme Court on September 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Justice Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
People left mementos in a makeshift memorial for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in front of the US Supreme Court on September 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Justice Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
A woman paints an image of Ruth Bader Ginsburg as people pay their respects to her outside of the New York State Civil Supreme Court building in New York on September 19, 2020. US President Donald Trump vowed to quickly nominate a successor, likely a woman, to replace late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, only a day after the death of the liberal stalwart. Kena Betancur / AFP
A woman paints an image of Ruth Bader Ginsburg as people pay their respects to her outside of the New York State Civil Supreme Court building in New York on September 19, 2020. US President Donald Trump vowed to quickly nominate a successor, likely a woman, to replace late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, only a day after the death of the liberal stalwart. Kena Betancur / AFP
People pay their respects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg near the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC on September 19, 2020. US President Donald Trump vowed to quickly nominate a successor, likely a woman, to replace late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, only a day after the death of the liberal stalwart. Eric BARADAT / AFP
People pay their respects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg near the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC on September 19, 2020. US President Donald Trump vowed to quickly nominate a successor, likely a woman, to replace late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, only a day after the death of the liberal stalwart. Eric BARADAT / AFP
A bobblehead of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is left outside of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on September 19, 2020. Ginsburg died September 18, opening a crucial vacancy on the high court expected to set off a pitched political battle at the peak of the presidential campaign. Jose Luis Magana / AFP
A bobblehead of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is left outside of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on September 19, 2020. Ginsburg died September 18, opening a crucial vacancy on the high court expected to set off a pitched political battle at the peak of the presidential campaign. Jose Luis Magana / AFP
Mourners place flowers, messages, and mementos at a makeshift memorial in honor of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in front of the US Supreme Court on September 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Justice Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
Mourners place flowers, messages, and mementos at a makeshift memorial in honor of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in front of the US Supreme Court on September 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Justice Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
A young boy places flowers at a makeshift memorial in honor of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in front of the US Supreme Court on September 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Justice Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
A young boy places flowers at a makeshift memorial in honor of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in front of the US Supreme Court on September 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Justice Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP Samuel Corum / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
The national flag flies at half staff as people gather to mourn the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the steps in front of the Supreme Court on September 18, 2020 in Washington, DC. Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/AFP TASOS KATOPODIS / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
The national flag flies at half staff as people gather to mourn the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the steps in front of the Supreme Court on September 18, 2020 in Washington, DC. Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/AFP TASOS KATOPODIS / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
People take a picture of a portrait of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg displayed at a storefront on September 19, 2020 in New York, New York. Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Jeenah Moon/Getty Images/AFP Jeenah Moon / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
People take a picture of a portrait of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg displayed at a storefront on September 19, 2020 in New York, New York. Ginsburg has died at age 87 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Jeenah Moon/Getty Images/AFP Jeenah Moon / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Twitter)
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Twitter)

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