Jun 15, 2026

Governor Newsom and First Partner Siebel Newsom highlight California’s contributions to the America250 time capsule

What you need to know: California, along with every state and territory, shared items to be included in the historic America250 capsule that will be opened in 2276. These contributions capture the best of our state’s past and present, with innovative items created here, the state’s unique and diverse landscapes, and a letter from Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

SACRAMENTO – In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom announced California’s seven contributions to the America250 time capsule being buried outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 4th, 2026. These items represent the innovative technology California leads the nation and globe in, capturing the remarkable spirit and communities that make the Golden State one-of-a-kind.

Since the earliest days of statehood, California has been the land of possibilities, driving progress felt far beyond our borders. The items we’re including today for the people of tomorrow reflect the longstanding innovative spirit of California — and the indomitable dreamers that make this state what it is.

Governor Gavin Newsom

California has long been home to innovation, creativity, and natural beauty – a tribute to the rich diversity that makes our state extraordinary. The items preserved in this time capsule honor the Golden State’s lasting impact on our nation’s story and inspire future generations to carry that spirit forward.

First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom

California’s time capsule items:

1. A letter to the future from the Governor and First Partner

Reflecting on this moment, the Governor and First Partner wrote a letter to the future. Printed on archival paper, the letter captures a snapshot of present-day California and the United States, how far California has come in 175 years of its statehood, and the hope that the values of today will endure for centuries to come.

Transcription OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR July 4, 2026 *A Letter To The Future From California, as the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.* To the People of California and the United States: We won't presume that the people reading this letter in the year 2276 will know much about us; perhaps our time here is remembered with nothing more than a few lines in a history text stored somewhere. Time passes, generations come and go, and memory fades. Looking back, our society today is beyond the imagination and dreams of anyone living in 1776 California. And so we come to this task with a humble recognition that our description of California may seem quaint and childlike to you. But on the 250th anniversary of the United States, we write in a spirit of hope for California's future and in the belief that our values today will endure and prosper over the centuries to come. We believe deeply in the American experiment and the democratic values of our founding revolution and the Constitution. What makes this country, and the state of California, so exceptional is our faith in democracy and in ourselves as dreamers and doers. It is perseverance and willpower, and perhaps some small degree of stubbornness, that have led us through dark chapters in American history. We persist in upholding the values of pluralism, liberty, and diversity because we know there is no other real way to govern ourselves. Our country was founded on the belief that we have an inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness and that we are the creators of our own destiny. On July 4, 2026, this spirit persists in California. Over the past 250 years, we have seen our country transform into something far beyond the Founders’ wildest dreams. And perhaps no state has transformed as much as California, the living embodiment of the frontier spirit. This is a state born of ambition, as people flocked to the land of opportunity. This is also a state built GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM • SACRAMENTO, CA 95814 • (916) 445-2841 The letter continues beyond the visible portion of the page. Alt text A formal letter on California Governor’s Office letterhead, dated July 4, 2026, appears on a white page. The state seal is centered at the top above the heading “OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR.” The letter is titled “A Letter To The Future From California” and addresses readers in the year 2276 on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Visible paragraphs discuss democracy, pluralism, liberty, diversity, California’s history, and hope for the state’s future. The page ends mid-sentence, with the Governor’s Sacramento contact line printed along the bottom.

2. Claude’s prediction of California’s future 250 years from now

Claude Artificial Intelligence (AI) Large Language Model’s (LLM) was given the prompt: “Write me a prediction of what California will be like 250 years from July 4, 2026.” Claude’s musings are printed on archival paper, serving as a tangible representation of AI in 2026. Only time will tell if the predictions laid out will be realized. Claude, currently the most sophisticated LLM — built by Anthropic and headquartered in San Francisco, California — represents the forefront of the current technological revolution.

hree overlapping printed pages rest on a white-and-gray marble surface. The top page is styled like a newspaper article and titled “California, 2276,” with the subtitle “A nation reformed, a coast reimagined.” Its speculative text describes a future California shaped by sea-level rise, political reorganization, dense cities, and ecological restoration. Two additional pages are partially visible underneath.

3. Qubit chip from University of California, Berkeley

The qubit chip from the University of California, Berkeley reflects some of today’s most innovative technological research and highlights California’s leading public university system — a key driver of the state’s booming innovation economy. Quantum computers use qubits to solve problems that are computationally challenging or impossible for classical computers. Like California, this qubit chip is at the cutting edge of technological innovation.

A small gold-colored square microchip rests beside a clear plastic storage case on a pale marble surface. The case is labeled “UC Berkeley Quantum” and “UCBerkeley 8Q-Ring.” The objects are photographed from above with ample white space around them.

4. Fusion conductor segment

Built in San Diego, California, by General Atomics, this fusion conductor segment reflects some of the most innovative research in clean energy across the globe. The conductor is part of the International Thermonuclear Experimental React (ITER) Central Solenoid, the “heart” of the world’s largest fusion experiment. This segment represents California’s leadership in both clean energy and technological innovation.

A small square metal block rests on a pale marble surface. A circular copper-colored insert with black flecks and a central hole is embedded in the top. The front is engraved with the words “HER,” “Central Solenoid,” and “2025.”

5. California’s American Innovation Coin featuring Steve Jobs

California’s American Innovation Coin features Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple and Pixar Animation Studios. Governor Newsom selected Jobs to represent California in recognition of his extraordinary impact on technology, storytelling, communication, and modern life. Jobs’ innovative and entrepreneurial spirit embodies the best of California, creating the future we all know today.

6. My California by California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick

My California, written by California’s current Poet Laureate, Lee Herrick, uniquely captures the diversity and vitality of the California experience. Herrick, appointed by Governor Newsom, celebrates the spirit of the Golden State and the Central Valley of California — the agricultural capital of the United States.

7. NASA photo of California from space

This photo of California from space was acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Aqua satellite on January 23, 2022. The image captures the current topography of the state during a typical winter season in the first few decades of the twenty-first century.

A printed satellite image of California, showing the Pacific coastline, green valleys, snow-covered mountains and desert regions, rests on a white marble surface.

First Partner, Press releases, Recent news

Governor Newsom signs legislation 8.22.2026

Aug 22, 2026

News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bills:AB 1651 by Assemblymember Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) — State Bar of California: artificial intelligence.AB 2624 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) — Privacy for...

Governor Newsom announces appointments 8.21.26

Aug 21, 2026

News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:Mike Marshall, of Sacramento, has been appointed State Chief Information Security Officer at the California Department of Technology. Marshall has been Acting Information Officer at the...

FREE MONEY FOR KIDS: Governor Newsom and First Partner celebrate one million families claim CalKIDS “baby bonds” accounts

Aug 21, 2026

News Launches the California Golden Start Challenge, a public-private partnership to boost kids’ savings What you need to know: California has reached a major milestone with one million CalKIDS accounts claimed — putting access to higher education and career training...