Ruth Bader Ginsburg will be the first woman in history to lie in state in US Capitol

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will lie in state in the United States Capitol on Friday, making her the first woman in history to be bestowed the honor. The rare distinction—which is an unusual honor for a Supreme Court justice, let alone a woman—was announced on Monday by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who described Justice Ginsburg's death as "an incalculable loss for our democracy and for all who sacrifice and strive to build a better future for our children." The speaker's office revealed that the historic event will feature a formal ceremony for invited guests due to the pandemic.

According to The New York Times, Justice Ginsburg will also lie in repose on Wednesday and Thursday at the Supreme Court, where her coffin will be placed under the portico at the top of the building's front steps. This measure is meant to allow for socially-distanced public viewing taking into consideration the continued dangers of the novel Coronavirus pandemic. In the past, justices have reportedly only lain in repose in the Supreme Court’s Great Hall for one day but given Justice Ginsburg's legacy as a pioneering advocate of women’s rights, a cultural icon, and a liberal hero, an extra day has been allotted for her in anticipation of the overwhelming number of people expected to turn out to honor her.

"Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will lie in repose at the Supreme Court of the United States on Wednesday, September 23, and Thursday, September 24. The casket will arrive in front of the Court just before 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday. A private ceremony will take place in the Great Hall at 9:30 a.m. attended by Justice Ginsburg's family, close friends, and members of the Court. Following the private ceremony inside, Justice Ginsburg will lie in repose under the Portico at the top of the front steps of the Building to allow for public viewing outdoors," the Supreme Court said in a press release on Monday.

"The public is invited to pay respects in front of the Building from approximately 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, and from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Thursday, September 24," the court added. Meanwhile, according to The Hill, the late liberal icon will be the second Supreme Court justice to lie in state in the Capitol, after William Howard Taft in March 1930. Taft served as chief justice from 1921 to 1930, after having served as president.

Although civil rights icon Rosa Parks also laid in honor in the Capitol rotunda in 2005, Ginsburg will be the first woman—and first Jewish person—to lie in state in the Capitol as a government official. Lying in state is a distinction given to the most distinguished government officials and military officers, while lying in honor is a tribute reserved for private citizens who've left their mark in the nation's history. The last person to lie in state in the Capitol was the late Rep. John Lewis, who died in July. His casket was also displayed at the top of the Capitol's east front steps to allow for outdoor public viewing.

Justice Ginsburg died Friday surrounded by family at her Washington home due to complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer. The 87-year-old served on the court for more than 27 years and was nominated by then-President Bill Clinton in 1993. "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," Speaker Pelosi said in a press release. "Her opinions have unequivocally cemented the precedent that all men and women are created equal."