For Its Birthday, the U.S. Will Give Americans of the Future a 900-Pound Time Capsule Filled With Art, Natural Treasures and a Clever Copy of the Declaration of Independ…

The United States will bury a 900-pound time capsule beneath an original sculpture in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026, marking the country’s 250th birthday. Commissioned by Congress via the America250 initiative, the capsule will remain sealed until the U.S. turns 500 in 2276. It contains contributions from all 50 states, territories, and government branches, including a bone from an endangered North Atlantic right whale (Maine), a Petoskey stone fossil (Michigan), beaded buffalo artwork by an Arikara artist (Montana), a Catholic rosary (Puerto Rico), and a feather from Old Abe, a Civil War-era bald eagle (Wisconsin). The capsule also holds a replica of the Declaration of Independence, a superconductor, and letters from governors. The America250 commission, established in 2016, oversaw the project, ensuring the capsule reflects a 'sea-to-shining-sea' representation of American culture. Experts from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Library of Congress, and the National Park Service assisted in curation. Some states submitted single items, while others provided multiple contributions, with the goal of creating a grassroots, community-driven archive. Rosie Rios, chair of America250, emphasized the capsule’s inclusive nature, stating it must represent the nation’s diversity. A letter sealed inside, written by project leader Michael Berilla, reads: 'Greetings from the living, breathing hearts and hands of 2026.' The capsule also includes scientific and historical artifacts, such as a superconductor and memorabilia from all three branches of government. The burial ceremony will take place in Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted. The capsule’s contents were finalized after years of collaboration, with the aim of preserving a snapshot of 21st-century America for future generations. The project aligns with America250’s broader mission to commemorate the U.S. semiquincentennial through cultural and historical initiatives.