Historical Highlight
Individuals Who Have Lain in State or in Honor
Since Henry Clay in 1852, the U.S. Capitol Rotunda has been used as a place to pay tribute to the Nation’s most distinguished citizens. Made available for public viewing in the Rotunda, persons who have “lain in state” traditionally have been American statesmen and military leaders, including 11 U.S. Presidents. In 1998, to recognize two Capitol Police officers who died in the line of duty, Congress granted use of the Rotunda for their caskets to “lie in honor.” For a complete list of individuals who have lain in state or lain in honor in the Capitol Rotunda, see The Architect of the Capitol website.
- See also information on Funerals in the House Chamber.
Individuals Who Have Recently Lain in State in the Capitol Rotunda
Individual | Office | Lay in State | |
---|---|---|---|
Senator John McCain (1936-2018) | Representative, Senator | August 31, 2018 | |
Senator Daniel K. Inouye (1924-2012) | Representative, Senator | December 20, 2012 | |
President Gerald R. Ford (1913-2006) | Representative, Vice President, President | December 30, 2006-January 2, 2007 | |
President Ronald Reagan | President | June 9-11, 2004 |
Individuals Who Have Lain in Honor in the Capitol Rotunda
Individual | Occupation | Lay in Honor |
---|---|---|
Reverend Billy Graham (1918-2018) | Minister | February 28-March 1, 2018 |
Rosa Parks (1913-2005) | Civil Rights Leader | October 30-31, 2005 |
Officer Jacob J. Chestnut, Jr. (1940-1998) | Capitol Police Officer | July 28, 1998 |
Detective John M. Gibson (1956-1998) | Capitol Police Officer | July 28, 1998 |
Oral History Recollections from the Lying-in-State Ceremony for President John F. Kennedy (1917–1963)
Part 1
Part 2