Ruth Bader Ginsburg Continues Making History As First Woman To Lie In State In U.S. Capitol

Ruth Bader Ginsburg continues to make history after becoming the first woman, first Jewish American, and second Supreme Court justice to ever lie in state in the U.S. Capitol building. The first woman to lie in honor at the Capitol was Rosa Parks after her death in 2005, but as a private citizen, she could not lie in state. Only 34 individuals, including Ginsburg, have ever been lain in state at the Capitol.

“It is with profound sorrow and deep sympathy to the Ginsburg family that I have the high honor to welcome Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to lie in state in the Capitol of the United States,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at the Capitol this morning. Both she and Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt spoke at the short, socially distanced service.

The service was recorded and live-streamed on C-Span, and many Twitter users watched and mourned her passing from home. The majority of comments were focused on the fact she is the first woman to lie in state, and both honored her and criticized the government for it. Given the nature of Ginsburg’s notoriety, many also took the opportunity to make political commentary.

Ginsburg’s Jewish identity also became a focal point of discussion because of Jewish burial tradition. Her identity was honored by Rabbi Holtzblatt and several virtual prayer services held in her name (such as Kveller’s Facebook Live Kaddish), but traditionally Jewish burial ceremonies are private, and the dead are interred within 24 hours after death. Nonetheless, many Jewish people celebrated the honor which she received.

Ginsburg will be buried Tuesday, Following Yom Kippur, at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia in a private ceremony.

Watch the full ceremony via live-stream below.