America250 Time Capsule Sealed, Set for Philadelphia Burial on July 4th

Executive Briefing

• Seals a 900-pound stainless steel cylinder containing contributions from all 50 states, territories, and all three federal branches
• Mandated by a 2016 law, the capsule will be buried 10 feet underground on July 4, 2026, and opened in 2276
• Designed by NIST engineers to be airtight and watertight, with a secondary cylinder and soft-metal rim seal preventing moisture intrusion
• Maintains 35% relative humidity internally to preserve paper documents without causing moisture damage over 250 years
• Contains letters, postcards, poems, and printed materials reflecting the diversity of American life in 2026