Washington (CNN) Standing before 31 men and women from 26 different countries, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg recalled her own family's history of making their way to the United States.

"My own father arrived in this land at age 13 with no fortune and speaking no English. My mother was born four months after her parents -- with several children in tow -- came by ship to Ellis Island. My father and my grandparents reached, as you do, for the American dream," she said Friday morning, in the rotunda of the National Archives.

Calling it a "testament to our nation's promise," Ginsburg noted that the "daughter and granddaughter of immigrants sits on the highest court in the land," speaking to the group of individuals gathered to celebrate the 227th anniversary of ratification of the Bill of Rights.

"What is the difference between a bookkeeper in New York City's Garment District and a Supreme Court Justice? One generation," Ginsburg said.

At the ceremony, some of the nation's most treasured documents were on display as the 31 individuals were sworn in as new US citizens by Judge Beryl Howell, the chief judge of the US District Court for the District of Columbia.

Read More