WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule was unveiled in Emancipation Hall on June 24, 2026. The capsule will remain sealed until July 4, 2276.

Bipartisan legislation signed into law in February 2026 directed the Architect of the Capitol to create and prepare a congressional time capsule to be sealed in the Capitol Visitor Center. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Sen. Alex Padilla, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Rep. Robert B. Aderholt jointly unveiled the capsule.

Each state and territory delegation had the chance to submit one item to the time capsule. Joint picks for the time capsule were made by leadership from each chamber, the Library of Congress, the Architect of the Capitol, and officers of both chambers. Organic materials like wood or plant materials, items that can break down or decompose over time, and those requiring specialized technology or equipment are prohibited from the time capsule.

Architect of the Capitol Thomas Austin stated the stainless steel vessel is more than four feet wide, two and a half feet deep, and four feet tall. The Virginia delegation submitted photographs to the time capsule, the Minnesota delegation submitted a collection of original images of Minnesota in 2026, and the New Hampshire delegation chose a piece of granite for the time capsule.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated, "From the Statue of Liberty to the Golden Gate Bridge, the Great Lakes to the Rio Grande Valley, and all points in between, the American people will have their stories told through a collection of meaningful items that represent the fullness and richness of our great country." Senator Capito commented on the future opening of the capsule, saying, "As I reflected on when this is going to be opened, I was thinking, 'Well, maybe I'll be here, but pretty sure I won't.'" Shaheen reflected on the future audience for the capsule, stating, "We don't know what they'll think of us. We don't know what they'll celebrate. But they'll know something about who we were."