Rosa Parks Lies in Honor at U.S. Capitol

Rosa Parks, a pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement, was honored in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, marking a historic moment in U.S. history. The casket was transported to Washington, D.C., on a bus resembling the one she famously refused to vacate during her protest against racial segregation. This act of defiance became a catalyst for the Montgomery Bus Boycott and symbolized the struggle for civil rights. Parks was the 31st individual to lie in honor at the Capitol, and notably, she was the first American who was not a government official to receive this distinction. Additionally, she was the first woman and the second African American to be honored in this manner, following Pierre L'Enfant, the French architect of the city. The event drew an estimated 50,000 visitors who came to pay their respects, and it was broadcasted on television, allowing a wider audience to participate in commemorating her legacy. A memorial service was also held at Metropolitan AME Church, further emphasizing her impact on American society and the ongoing fight for equality.