As the 250th anniversary of the July 4th signing of the Declaration of Independence nears, America’s Time Capsule has been filled and includes items from all 56 states and territories, including Florida.

The time capsule, a 900-pound steel cylinder, was sealed June 15, according to America250, the organization charged by Congress with leading the celebration.

The capsule contains over 200 artifacts, records and objects to tell America’s story when it is opened 250 years later.

Here’s more about the time capsule, what items Florida sent and how social media reacted to the Sunshine State’s contributions.

What happens with America’s Time Capsule now?

The capsule will be buried at Independence National Historical Park on July 4, 2026, and reopened in 2276.

According to America250, when buried, it will be covered with a 1,100-pound stainless steel bell jar to create a protective air pocket around the vessel, ensuring that it remains dry during its 250 years underground.

The National Park Service, in partnership with the Independence Historical Trust, will oversee the capsule’s placement and incorporate its eventual opening into official park management records.

“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 Rosie Rios, Chair of America250. “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.”

America’s Time Capsule contains some interesting items

The Library of Congress provided a molecular data storage device, a tiny metal vial about the length of a pencil eraser, containing synthetic DNA encoded with digital copies of selected Library collection items.

Arkansas included a diamond found at Crater of Diamonds State Park.

California’s items include a fusion superconductor, a qubit chip and a Claude AI prediction.

Maine submitted a bone from a critically endangered North Atlantic right whale.

An iPhone 17 Pro Max was included to represent the “cutting edge of American innovation and technology in 2026.”

Florida’s contributions to America’s Time Capsule

Florida contributed the following items to America’s Time Capsule:

Set of Four Challenge Coins

A set of four challenge coins representing the Florida attorney general, the Florida Agency for Fiscal Oversight FAFO, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Pin and Letter

A House of Representatives Florida pin pinned to a notecard to Americans from Daniel Perez, speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, 2024-2026.

The Florida Senate Booklet

The Florida Senate Booklet 2024-2026, Ben Albritton, president of the Senate.

Reddit reacts to Florida contributions to America’s Time Capsule

Redditors seemed less than impressed with Florida’s contributions.

Comments in r/Florida subreddit thread include:

“An artifact from Kennedy Space Center would’ve been a great contribution.”

“A chunk of coquina so that people of the future will know we once had a mighty pile of sand we built upon.”

“They could’ve picked almost literally anything to represent Florida and chose to make it about themselves.”

“Ah so the project came up on its deadline and some mid-level staffer just looked around the break room and grabbed whatever was handy.”

“Remember, these people are the ones who tell you government should be small and not in charge of your life. Yet when it comes time to represent Florida all they can think of is government.”

“We should have put a bag of meth and a live palmetto bug.”

“I sort of expected a live alligator”

“What?!? No DNA from Florida man? Why thats down right un American.”

Kim Luciani is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s Audience team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://tallahassee.com/newsletters.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: America’s Time Capsule has been sealed. These Florida items are in it