RBG is the First Woman to Lie in State at the Capitol
The Claim
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the first woman in American history to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol.
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Emerging story
Following the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in September 2020, users on social media pushed the claim to honor her legacy.
Misbar’s Analysis
The Misbar team decided to investigate this claim after there were reports that the late Justice was actually the second woman to lie in state – with the first being Rosa Parks.
Misbar has determined that the claim about Justice Ginsburg is actually true. While Rosa Parks’ remains were placed in the U.S. Capitol to pay homage to her passing, she was laid in honor, rather than in state like the late Justice. The difference depends on the reason for recognition.
In 1998, Congress allowed the Capitol building for citizens to “lie in honor” following the shooting of two Capitol police officers. In 2005, following her passing, Rosa Parks became the third person to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda.
In September 2020, Justice Ginsburg became the first woman in a list of other male political or military leaders to lie in state in the Capitol.
As such, the claim that the late Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the first woman in American history to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol building is true.
