The United States Bicentennial time capsule is scheduled to be opened in 2076, after America’s 250th anniversary.
The capsule was created for the 1976 Bicentennial and placed in the National Archives. Its planned opening is set for the 300th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, exactly 100 years after the Bicentennial celebration and 50 years after the 2026 semiquincentennial.
Time capsules connect successive national anniversaries by preserving artifacts for a future audience. The Bicentennial capsule should not be confused with newer objects associated with America250, including materials planned for the 2026 commemoration. The dates form a straightforward sequence: 1976 marked 200 years, 2026 marks 250 years, and 2076 is intended to mark 300 years.