America250 time capsule has items from every state. What's inside?

The capsule will be buried in Philadelphia on July 4. Here's a look at what each state contributed to "America's Time Capsule."Show Caption

"America's Time Capsule" has been officially sealed in commemoration of the United States' 250th birthday.The 900-pound steel cylinder contains over 200 artifacts, records and objects to tell America's story when it is opened 250 years later.The capsule will be buried in Philadelphia on July 4 as part of the hundreds of events for America's 250th anniversary that will take place nationwide.America250, the official nonpartisan commission designated by Congress to organize the July 4 celebrations, spearheaded the work to design the capsule and collect relics. All 50 states in conjunction with numerous national organizations contributed items (ranging from a vial of sand to an Olympic gold medal) reflecting the people, places and moments that shaped their history.California contributed a NASA photo, an AI prediction and a fusion superconducter segment. Arizona contributed a copper ingot and a laser-etched challenge coin. Maine contributed a whale bone and a woven bookmark. And Utah contributed tickets to their amusement parks and George Washington's prayer medal.“Now that America’s Time Capsule has been sealed, it carries with it a remarkable record of this moment in our nation’s history,” said Chair of America250 Rosie Rios. “This moment is as much about the future as it is the past. When it is opened in 2276, future generations will see the care, pride, and optimism with which Americans marked our 250th anniversary.”Below is a list of an item contributed from each state and territory of the United States. Most states submitted multiple items, and the full list can be viewed on America250's official website.From Alabama: A series of poems written by author and professor James Matthew Wilson entitled "America."From Alaska: A map of New Archangel, Alaska, when Russia sold Alaska to the United States in 1867.From American Samoa: A set of two uncirculated quarters from 2009 and 2020 with images of American Samoa.From Arizona: A laser nano-etching of the text and signatures of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution on a coin.From Arkansas: A diamond found at the Crater of Diamonds State Park, the only place in the United States where people can search for diamonds and keep what they find.From California: A Claude AI prediction of what California will be like in 250 years on archival paper. This will serve as a "tangible representation" of AI in 2026.From Colorado: A set of postcards selected to represent "what life was like in Colorado in 2026."From Connecticut: The Official Proclamation document for the state.From the District of Columbia: A challenge coin with "Washington, D.C. 250" on one side and a building with flags and the Mayor's name etched on the other.From Delaware: A set of 12 notecards with writings and drawings from the state's citizens to answer what Delaware is to them.From Florida: The Florida Senate Booklet from 2024 to 2026, which describes the operations of the Senate.From Georgia: A distinct medallion of The Masters Logo, which has a yellow silhouette of the United States with a red flagstick to mark where Augusta, Georgia is located.From Guam: A Gualofan ornament pendant, which is a traditional ornament that has become a "modern expression of Chamorro identity." The pendant represents the full moon.From Hawaii: A letter from Governor Josh Green.From Idaho: A star garnet, which is the state's official gemstone found only in Idaho and one other place in the world. The garnet is meant to highlight the state's geological heritage.From Illinois: A poem authored by Illinois Poet Laureate Mark Turcotte titled "Dear New Blood."From Indiana: The Indiana 250 Annual Report, which shares the mission and objectives of the commission working to celebrate July 4th.From Iowa: Astronaut Peggy Whitson's International Space Station medallion, which commemorates Whitson's leadership as the first woman to command the International Space Station.From Kansas: A document identifying Kansas250 commissioners and news items from the last year.From Kentucky: A commemorative coin from the Sons of the Revolution, intended to serve as a reminder of how the American Revolution influenced Kentucky.From Louisiana: A necklace with a Krewe of Bacchus pendant, a collectible from Mardi Gras, and glass beads.From Maine: A whale bone from the North Atlantic right whale, which is one of the world's most critically endangered large whale species.From Maryland: A challenge coin with Governor Wes Moore's name and a map of the state on it.From Massachusetts: A set of archival prints, including a print of the Boston Massacre and a letter from John Adams and Benjamin Franklin to the Massachusetts Council.From Michigan: The state stone, or the Petoskey stone, which is native to the shores of Lake Michigan and formed nearly 350 million years ago.From Minnesota: The state's flag.From Mississippi: Four brass coins commemorating the U.S.'s largest rocket engine test site and the Birthplace of America's Music, amongst other notable events.From Missouri: A letter from Governor Mike Kehoe to Americans 250 years later.From Montana: A beaded artwork created by a Arikara artist representing the state's landscapes and heritage.From Nebraska: An archival photo of the Vice Grip pliers, which symbolize the state's commerce and history.From Nevada: A set of gambling chips to reflect the history of casinos across the state, which legalized gambling during the Great Depression.From New Hampshire: A print of a sticker depicting the center emblem of a flag carried by the Second New Hampshire Regiment of the Continental Army.From New Jersey: A stainless steel plate with greetings to people in 2276, with "the hope that the values that guide us in 2026 — liberty, opportunity, cooperation, love and respect for one another — continue to shape society."From New Mexico: A hand-crafted red chile tile created by Mexican-American artist Jennel Juarez. The tile is one of New Mexico's longstanding cultural symbols.From New York: A written reflection from New York State.From North Carolina: A copper disk engraved with an image of the North Carolina State Capitol Building.From North Dakota: A commemorative coin representing the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota.From the Northern Mariana Islands: A crescent-hewn symbol representing the Chamorro ancestors' leadership and noble standing.From Ohio: Fabric from the Wright Brothers' flight honoring the state's connection to the birth of aviation.From Oklahoma: A belt buckle that features images that represent the "grit, determination and spirit" of the state.From Oregon: A handcrafted pin created by Native American artist Lillian Pitt.From Pennsylvania: A "Greetings from Harrisburg" letter from Governor Josh Shapiro.From Puerto Rico: A rosary to represent the importance of faith in the island.From Rhode Island: A holiday ornament meant to honor the state's Revolutionary War legacy.From South Carolina: A coin commemorating the work done by the state's 250 Commission.From South Dakota: A poetry book celebrating the state's rivers, wildlife and homestead culture through a special edition of "This Far Country" authored by Joseph Bottum.From Tennessee: An original poster designed by one of the state's artists to highlight Tennessee's agricultural history and cultural symbols, including its role in the Civil Rights movement and women's suffrage.From Texas: The state seal on a chiseled glass paperweight. The seal was designed in 1836 during the Texas Revolution.From the U.S. Virgin Islands: A letter from Governor Albert Bryan, Jr.From Utah: A set of 101 paper cards with different people that shaped Utah history.From Vermont: A Battle of Hubbardton ornament. The battle was the only Revolutionary War battle fought entirely on what is now considered Vermont.From Virginia: A challenge coin representing the state's commemoration of America's semiquincentennial.From Washington: A letter from Washington State Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck to the future.From West Virginia: A student essay authored by Alyssa Dalton titled "Remembering our Foundation" celebrating the nation's 250th birthday. The essay was solicited from a statewide essay contest to recognize how "the young people... will continue to guide our state."From Wisconsin: An Eagle feather and photo of Old Abe, an American bald eagle who served with the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the civil war.From Wyoming: A letter from Governor Mark Gordon to future Americans.Many of the capsule's collections were specifically designed for the commemoration. For example, the Library of Congress contributed a molecular data storage device about 0.2 inches with synthetic DNA encoded with digital copies of the library's items. It includes Thomas Jefferson's rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, a 3D rendering of President Abraham Lincoln's hand and an 1898 audio recording of the national anthem.Companies such as Coca Cola and Apple along with museums like the Smithsonian Institute also contributed items.