The capsule will be buried in Philadelphia on July 4th. Here’s a look at what each state contributed to “America’s Time Capsule.”
DC plans massive fireworks record attempt on July 4th
Pyrotechnica is planning a record-breaking fireworks show at 10 locations in Washington, D.C., on July 4th.
The “America’s Time Capsule” was officially sealed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
The 900-pound steel cylinder contains more than 200 artifacts, records, and objects that will tell the story of America when it is opened 250 years later.
The capsule will be buried in Philadelphia on July 4 as part of hundreds of events commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
America 250, the official bipartisan committee designated by Congress to host the Fourth of July celebration, spearheaded the capsule design and artifact collection efforts. All 50 states partnered with numerous national organizations to donate items (from vials of sand to Olympic gold medals) that reflected the people, places, and moments that shaped their history.
California provided NASA photos, AI predictions, and fusion superconductivity segments. Arizona donated a copper ingot and a laser-etched challenge coin. Mayne donated whale bones and woven bookmarks. And the state of Utah donated amusement park tickets and a George Washington prayer medal.
“Now that America’s time capsule has been sealed, it contains an incredible record of this moment in our nation’s history,” said America 250 President Rosie Rios. “This moment is as much about the future as it is about the past. When we open in 2276, future generations will see the care, pride and optimism with which Americans celebrated our 250th anniversary.”
Below is a list of items provided by each U.S. state and territory. Most states have submitted multiple items, and a complete list can be found on America250’s official website.
- Alabama: A series of poems titled “America” written by author and professor James Matthew Wilson.
- alaska: Map of New Archangel, Alaska when Russia sold Alaska to the United States in 1867.
- american samoa: A set of two previously unpublished quarters from 2009 and 2020 containing images from American Samoa.
- arizona: Laser nano-etched text and signature of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution on the coin.
- arkansas: Diamonds discovered at Crater of Diamonds State Park. It’s the only place in the United States where people can search for diamonds and store their finds.
- California: Prediction of California 250 years from now in archival paper by Claude AI. This will be the “concrete expression” of AI in 2026.
- colorado: A set of postcards selected to represent “Life in Colorado in 2026.”
- connecticut: Official state declaration document.
- District of Columbia: A challenge coin with “Washington DC 250” on one side and a building with a flag and the mayor’s name engraved on the other.
- Delaware: A set of 12 notecards with writing and drawings from state residents to answer what Delaware means to them.
- florida: Florida Senate Booklet 2024-2026. Explains how the Senate operates.
- georgia: Distinctive medallion of the Masters logo. It features a yellow silhouette of the United States and a red flagpole marking the location of Augusta, Georgia.
- Guam: Gualofan ornament pendant, a traditional ornament that has become a “modern expression of Chamorro identity.” The pendant represents a full moon.
- Hawaii: Letter from Governor Josh Green.
- idaho: Star Garnet. It is the official state gem found only in Idaho and one other place in the world. Garnet aims to highlight the state’s geological heritage.
- Linois: A poem titled “Dear New Blood” written by Illinois Poet Laureate Mark Turcotte.
- IndianaIn: Indiana 250 Annual Report. We share the mission and purpose of the committee working to celebrate the Fourth of July.
- Iowa: Astronaut Peggy Whitson’s International Space Station medallion commemorates Whitson’s leadership as the first woman to command the International Space Station.
- Kansas: Document identifying Kansas250 commissioners and last year’s news items.
- kentucky: A commemorative Sons of the Revolution coin intended to remind us of how the American Revolution affected Kentucky.
- louisiana: This necklace combines a Krewe of Bacchus pendant, a Mardi Gras collection item, with glass beads.
- maine: Whale bones of the North Atlantic right whale, one of the world’s most endangered large whale species.
- maryland: A challenge coin with Governor Wes Moore’s name and a map of the state on it.
- Massachusetts: A set of archival prints, including prints of the Boston Massacre and letters from John Adams and Benjamin Franklin to the Massachusetts State Legislature.
- Michigan: State Stone, or Petoskey Stone. It is native to the shores of Lake Michigan and was formed about 350 million years ago.
- minnesota: State flag.
- Mississippi: Four brass coins commemorate the nation’s largest rocket engine testing site, the birthplace of American music, and other notable events.
- missouri: Letter from Governor Mike Kehoe to Americans 250 years later.
- montana: Beaded artwork created by Arikara artists representing the landscape and heritage of the state.
- nebraska: Archive photo of vice-grip pliers, a symbol of state commerce and history.
- nevada: A set of gambling chips that reflect the history of casinos across the state that legalized gambling during the Great Depression.
- new hampshire: Print of a sticker depicting the central emblem of a flag belonging to the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment of the Continental Army.
- new jersey: A stainless steel plate with a greeting to the people of 2276. “It is our hope that the values that will guide us in 2026 – freedom, opportunity, cooperation, love and mutual respect – will continue to shape our society.”
- new mexico: Handmade red chile tiles created by Mexican-American artist Jennel Juarez. This tile is one of New Mexico’s long-standing cultural symbols.
- new york: Written review from New York State.
- north carolina: A bronze disc engraved with an image of the North Carolina State Capitol.
- north dakota: Commemorative coin commemorating the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota.
- Northern Mariana Islands: A crescent-shaped symbol representing the leadership and noble status of the Chamorro ancestors.
- ohio: The Wright Brothers’ Fabric of Flight celebrates the birth of aviation and the state’s connections.
- oklahoma: A belt buckle that symbolizes the nation’s “grit, determination, and spirit.”
- Oregon: Handmade pin created by Native American artist Lillian Pitt.
- pennsylvania: “Greetings from Harrisburg” letter from Governor Josh Shapiro.
- puerto rico:A rosary that represents the importance of faith on the island.
- rhode island: Holiday decorations intended to honor the state’s Revolutionary War heritage.
- south carolina: A coin commemorating the efforts undertaken by the state’s 250 Committee.
- south dakota: A collection of poems celebrating the state’s rivers, wildlife, and homestead culture through a special edition of Joseph Bottam’s “This Far Country.”
- tennessee: An original poster designed by one of the state’s artists to highlight Tennessee’s agricultural history and cultural symbols, including Tennessee’s role in the civil rights movement and women’s suffrage.
- texas: Engraved glass paperweight condition seal. This seal was designed in 1836 during the Texas Revolution.
- US Virgin Islands: Letter from Governor Albert Bryan Jr.
- Utah: A set of 101 paper cards depicting various people who shaped Utah’s history.
- vermont state: Ornaments from the Battle of Haverton. This battle was the only Revolutionary War battle fought throughout what is now considered Vermont.
- virginia: A challenge coin representing the state’s commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
- washington: A letter to the future from Washington State Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck.
- West Virginia: A student essay titled “Remembering Our Foundation” written by Alyssa Dalton in commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The essays were solicited from a statewide essay contest to recognize “how young people…continue to lead our state.”
- wisconsin: Eagle feathers and a photo of Grandpa Abe, an American bald eagle who served with the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War.
- wyoming: Letter from Governor Mark Gordon to future Americans.
Many of the capsule collections were designed specifically for the occasion. For example, the Library of Congress donated an approximately 0.2-inch molecular data storage device with synthetic DNA encoded with digital copies of the library’s holdings. It includes Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence, a 3D rendering of President Abraham Lincoln’s hand, and an audio recording of the 1898 National Anthem.
Companies such as Coca-Cola and Apple and museums such as the Smithsonian Institution also donated items.
