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America250 Time Capsule Has Items From Every State. What's Inside?
The 900-pound stainless steel capsule holds letters, posters and poems from all 50 states and five U.S. territories.
A 900-pound steel cylinder sealed last week will be buried at Independence Mall in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026, to commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary.
Congress designated the nonpartisan America250 commission in 2016 to organize celebrations, mandating a time capsule project to preserve artifacts for future generations when reopened in 2276.
Contributions from all 50 states, five US territories, and the District of Columbia fill the capsule with over 200 artifacts ranging from historical documents to modern cultural symbols.
Engineers designed the cylinder with a soft metal rim creating an airtight, watertight seal, while the capsule will be buried 10 feet below ground, safe from temperature fluctuations and storm damage.
Project manager Michael Berilla noted the capsule captures American resilience, stating, "When I think forward to the future, I hope that's what they see from us.